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THE    LIFE 


REV.   LEGH   RICHMOND, 

AUTHOR   OF   THE   DAIRYMAN'S    DAUGHTER, 
YOUNG   COTTAGER,    ETC. 


COMPILED  FROM  AUTHENTIC  SOURCES. 


"If  all  the  professed  ministers  and  disciples  of  our  Lord 
shone  with  a  radiance  so  mild,  and  exemplified  a  zeal  so  pious 
and  affectionate,  then  would  the  church  imbodyher  arguments 
and  persuasions  in  their  most  effective  and  impressive  form." 


NEW-YORK: 

PUBLISHED  BY  G.  LANE  &  P.  P.  SANDFORD, 

FOR  THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH,  AT  THE  CONFERENCE 
OFFICE,  200  MULBERRY-STREET. 

James  Collord,  Printer. 
1843. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1842,  by 
G.  Lane  &  P.  P.  Sandford,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District 
Court  of  the  Southern  District  of  New-York. 


^ 


PREFACE 


Few  ministers  of  the  gospel  have  been 
more  generally  esteemed  and  beloved  than 
Legh  Richmond.  His  fervent  piety,  the 
unaffected  simplicity  of  his  character,  the 
usefulness  of  his  talents,  and  the  zeal  with 
which  he  devoted  himself  to  every  good  work, 
endeared  him  to  evangelical  Christians  of  all 
denominations.  The  tracts  which  he  wrote 
are,  perhaps,  the  most  popular  and  useful 
productions  of  the  kind  ever  published; 
their  circulation  has  been  almost  without 
parallel,  and  their  success  in  winning  souls 
to  Christ  such  as  never  entered  into  the  con- 
ception of  the  author  when  he  first  prepared 
them  for  the  press. 

Shortly  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Richmond, 
an  extended  memoir  of  his  life  was  given  to 
the  public  by  his  intimate  friend,  the  Rev.  T. 


4  PREFACE. 

S.  Grimshawe,  and  the  remarkable  favour 
with  which  it  was  received  was  at  once  an 
evidence  and  an  effect  of  the  general  estima- 
tion in  which  the  lamented  subject  of  it  was 
held  by  the  Christian  public.  The  work 
was  almost  immediately  reprinted  in  this 
country,  where  six  editions  were  issued  in 
less  than  two  years. 

In  preparing  the  present  work,  the  writer 
has,  of  course,  freely  availed  himself  of  Mr. 
Grimshawe's  memoir  ;  he  has  also  drawn  a 
large  amount  of  interesting  information,  not 
contained  in  that  work,  from  a  more  recent 
publication,  entitled,  "  A  Domestic  Portrai- 
ture of  Legh  Richmond ;"  and  a  few  addi- 
tional particulars  have  been  gathered  from 
other  sources. 

S.  B.  W. 

New- York,  February ^  1842. 


CONTENTS. 


Chap.  Paffe 

I.  From  Mr.  Richmond's  birth  till  his  ordination      7 

II.  His  ministry  in  the  Isle  of  Wight 19 

III.  Letter  to  his  sister ;  extracts  from  his  journal     35 

IV.  Removal  from  Brading ;  settlement  at  Turvey    47 

V.  Prominent  characteristics  of  his  preaching  .  -     63 

VI.  His  connection  with  various  religious  societies     73 

VII.  View  of  his  character  as  the  father  of  a  family     89 

VIII.  His  tracts  ;  their  extensive  usefulness 109 

IX.  Tours  for  the  Missionary  and  Jews' Societies  127 

X.  Letter  of  advice  to  his  daughters 141 

XI.  Domestic  afflictions  ;  notice  of  his  eldest  son  153 

XII.  Account  of  a  spiritual  child  of  Mr.  Richmond's  165 

XIII.  He  visits  Scotland;  death  of  his  mother  .. .  175 

XIV.  Revisits  the  Isle  of  Wight 197 

XV.  Sickness  and  death  of  his  second  son 207 

XVI.  Death  of  his  eldest  son  ;  decline  of  his  health  229 

XVII.  Close  of  his  life  :  letter  from  his  widow 245 


THE    LIFE 


REV.    LEGH    RICHMOND. 


CHAPTER  I. 

FROM  MR.  Richmond's  birth  till  his  ordi- 
nation,  AND   marriage. 

Legh  Richmond  was  born  at  Liverpool,  on 
the  29th  of  January,  1772.  He  was  the  eldest 
son  of  Dr.  Henry  Richmond,  a  physician  of  that 
place,  and  grandson  of  the  Rev.  Legh  Richmond, 
a  clergyman  of  the  Established  Church. 

It  was  his  privilege  to  be  blessed  with  an  in- 
telligent and  piously  disposed  mother,  who,  ac- 
cording to  the  best  of  her  ability,  early  instructed 
him  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  the  principles  of 
true  religion.  Speaking,  many  years  after,  of  the 
effect  produced  on  his  mind  by  her  admonitions 
and  instructions,  he  says,  "  I  well  remember,  in 
the  early  dawn  of  my  expanding  reason,  with 
what  care  she  laboured  to  instil  into  my  mind  a 
sense  of  the  being  of  God,  and  of  the  reverence 
which  is  due  to  him ;  of  the  character  of  a  Saviour, 


O  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

and  his  infinite  merits  ;  of  the  duty  of  prayer, 
and  the  manner  in  which  it  ought  to  be  offered 
up  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Her  way  of  en- 
forcing these  subjects  was  like  one  who  felt 
their  importance,  and  wished  her  child  to  do  so 
likewise.  First  instructed  by  her  to  read,  I 
have  not  forgotten,  in  my  Bible  lessons,  with 
what  simplicity  and  propriety  she  used  to  ex- 
plain and  comment  on  the  word  of  God,  its  pre- 
cepts and  examples.  These  infantine  cateche- 
tical exercises  still  vibrate  in  my  recollections, 
and  confirm  to  my  own  mind  the  great  advan- 
tage attendant  upon  the  earliest  possible  endea- 
vours to  win  the  attention,  and  store  the  memo- 
ry with  religious  knowledge.  Her  natural 
abilities,  which  were  of  a  superior  character, 
enabled  her  to  converse  with  a  very  little  child 
with  much  effect ;  and  there  was  a  tenderness 
of  affection,  united  to  a  firmness  of  manner, 
which  greatly  promoted  the  best  interests  of  a 
nursery  education. 

"  My  mother  had  six  children  ;  three  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  A  very  affecting  circumstance 
accompanied  the  death  of  one  of  them,  and  was 
a  severe  trial  to  her  maternal  feelings.  Her 
then  youngest  child,  a  sweet  little  boy,  just  two 
years  old,  was,  through  the  carelessness  of  his 
nurse,  precipitated   from  a  bed-room  window 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  9 

upon  the  pavement  beneath.  I  was  at  that  time 
six  years  of  age,  and  happened  to  be  walking 
on  the  very  spot,  when  the  distressing  event 
occurred  :  I  was,  therefore,  the  first  to  take  np, 
and  deliver  into  our  agonized  mother's  arms, 
the  poor  little  sufferer.  The  head  was  fractured, 
and  he  only  survived  the  fall  about  thirty  hours. 
I  still  preserve  a  very  distinct  and  lively  re- 
membrance of  the  struggle  between  the  natural 
feelings  of  the  mother,  and  the  spiritual  resig- 
nation of  the  Christian.  She  passed  the  sad 
interval  of  suspense  in  almost  continual  prayer, 
and  found  God  a  present  help  in  time  of  trouble. 
Frequently  during  that  day  did  she  retire  with 
me  ;  and  as  I  knelt  beside  her,  she  uttered  the 
feelings  and  desires  of  her  heart  to  God.  I  re- 
member her  saying,  '  If  I  cease  praying  for 
five  minutes,  I  am  ready  to  sink  under  this  un- 
looked-for distress  ;  but  when  I  pray,  God  com- 
forts and  upholds  me  :  his  will,  not  mine,  be 
done.'  Once  she  said,  '  Help  me  to  pray,  my 
child :  Christ  suffers  little  children  to  come  to 
him,  and  forbids  them  not, — say  something.' 
'  What  shall  I  say,  mamma  ? — shall  I  fetch  a 
book  V  '  Not  now,'  she  replied  :  '  speak  from 
your  heart,  and  ask  God  that  we  may  be  recon- 
ciled to  his  will,  and  bear  this  trial  with  pa- 
tience.' 


10  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOJjD. 

"  The  day  after  the  infant's  death,  she  took 
me  to  the  bed  on  which  my  little  brother  lay ; 
and  kneeling  down,  she  wept  for  a  few  minutes 
in  silence ;  and  then  taking  his  cold  hand  in  one 
of  hers,  and  mine  in  the  other,  she  said, '  Lord, 
if  it  had  not  been  thy  good  pleasure,  it  had  not 
been  thus.  Thy  will  be  done !  I  needed  this 
heavy  trial  to  show  me  more  of  myself,  and  to 
wean  me  from  the  world.     Forgive  my  sins, 

0  God !  and  let  me  not  murmur.'  Then  look- 
ing at  the  cherub  countenance  of  her  babe,  she 
addea,  '  Thou  art  not  lost,  but  gone  before  me.' 
She  then  put  his  hand  into  mine,  and  said,  '  If 
you  live,  my  child,  never  forget  this  ;  and  may 

1  one  day  meet  you  both  in  heaven  !' 

"  These  things  occurred  at  Stockport,  when 
we  were  on  a  visit  to  my  father's  mother  and 
sisters,  in  the  early  part  of  the  year  1778.  The 
recollection  of  what  I  have  related  is  still  clear 
and  impressive  on  my  mind." 

The  pious  care  of  Mrs.  Richmond  was  well 
repaid  by  her  son,  who,  in  after  years,  became 
the  happy  and  honoured  instrument  of  impart- 
ing to  his  beloved  mother  more  correct  views 
of  divine  truth  than  she  had  previously  pos- 
sessed. 

During  Mr.  Richmond's  childhood  he  met 
with  an  accident,  from  the  effects  of  which  he 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  11 

never  recovered.  In  leaping  over  a  wall,  he 
fell  with  violence  to  the  ground,  and  injured 
his  left  leg  so  as  to  occasion  an  incurable  lame- 
ness, the  injured  limb  being  ever  after  shorter 
than  the  other.* 

In  1782  Mr.  Richmond's  parents  removed 
with  their  family  from  Liverpool  to  Bath. 
Speaking  of  the  anxious  care  with  which  they 
endeavoured  to  preserve  their  children  from  the 
ensnaring  vices  peculiar  to  places  of  fashion- 
able resort,  Mr.  Richmond  says,  "  In  the  whole 
of  their  deportment,  and  in  the  management  of 
the  family,  my  parents  maintained  great  order 
and  propriety,  founded  upon  conscientious  prin- 
ciples. They  steadily  resisted  the  torrent  of 
folly,  vice,  and  dissipation,  for  which  the  gay 
city  of  Bath  is  distinguished.  While  the  giddy 
votaries  of  fashionable  life  incessantly  whirled 
in  the  vortex  of  ensnaring  pleasure,  they  culti- 
vated, for  themselves  and  their  children,  senti- 
ments and  habits  of  a  domestic  and  rational 
character.  Regular  and  prudential  in  all  their 
household  arrangements,  they  maintained  a  va- 

*  It  is  somewhat  singular  that  a  nearly  similar  accident 
occurred  to  one  of  his  own  children.  His  second  son,  Wil- 
berforce,  when  two  years  of  age,  fell  from  a  window,  and 
was  injured  in  the  same  limb,  and  ever  after  remained  af- 
flicted with  the  same  kind  of  lameness  as  his  father. 


12  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

luable  intercourse  with  many  estimable  friends ; 
and  set  their  children  a  uniform  example  of 
steady  resistance  to  those  temptations  so  inju- 
rious to  all,  but  especially  to  the  rising  genera- 
tion. Their  evenings  were  much  spent  at  home, 
in  family  reading,  and  improving  conversation. 
By  pursuing  this  course,  they  hoped  to  lay  a 
foundation  for  future  domestic  usefulness  in 
their  children's  dispositions.  I  shall  ever  re- 
tain a  grateful  remembrance  of  the  sober  and 
temperate  regulations  which  characterized  my 
paternal  roof.  It  was  their  desire  to  bring 
us  up  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  to  teach  us  the 
important  lesson  of  self-denial  so  essential  to 
the  formation  of  Christian  principle." 

Young  Richmond  received  the  rudiments  of 
his  education  under  the  tuition  of  his  father, 
who  was  an  excellent  classical  scholar,  and  was 
well  acquainted  with  literature  in  general. 

In  addition  to  his  classical  and  other  ele- 
mentary studies,  he  made  great  progress  at  this 
period  in  the  study  of  music,  a  science  for  which 
he  retained  a  strong  attachment  to  the  close  of 
his  life. 

He  also  manifested  at  a  very  early  age  a  con- 
siderable talent  for  poetry.  The  following  is 
a  specimen  of  his  versification,  written  at  the 
age  of  twelve. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  13 

ON  THE  MORNING. 

"Behold,  the  earth  is  clad  in  sober  gray, 
And  twinkling  stars  foretel  the  approach  of  day. 
The  hare  runs  timid  o'er  the  bladed  grass. 
And  early  shepherds  on  the  meadows  pass. 
In  splendid  majesty  the  morning  star 
Welcomes  Aurora  in  her  rosy  car. 
The  lark,  the  early  herald  of  the  morn, 
Whose  tender  sides  soft  gentle  plumes  adorn, 
Flies  from  her  nest  above  all  human  sight. 
And  to  the  skies  sublime  she  bends  her  flight. 
Her  pleasing  notes  the  ambient  hills  repeat. 
And  day  o'er  half  the  world  resumes  its  seat ; 
The  splendent  sun's  ethereal  light  appears, 
And  nature  wipes  away  her  dewy  tears. — " 

Mr.  Richmond  continued  under  his  father's 
tuition  until  his  thirteenth  year,  when  he  was 
sent  to  a  school  at  Reading,  and  afterward  to 
another  at  Blandford.  Having  completed  his 
preparatory  education,  he  entered  college  when 
seventeen  years  of  age. 

It  was  in  the  year  1789  that  Mr.  Richmond 
became  a  member  of  Trinity  College  in  the 
University  of  Cambridge.  During  his  resi- 
dence there  his  mother  felt  much  anxiety 
on  his  account.  The  infidel  principles  which 
were  so  extensively  promulgated  at  the  breaking 
out  of  the  French  revolution  had  infected  many 
young  men  in  England,  and  not  a  few  at  the 


14  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

university ;  and  she  dreaded  the  influence  of 
evil  communications  upon  the  mind  of  her  son. 
Her  letters  to  him  at  this  period  breathed  the 
language  of  parental  caution  and  solicitude. 
The  following  extract  is  from  one  written  in 
1790:— 

"  I  hope  that  my  dear  son  does  not,  in  the 
midst  of  his  literary  studies,  forget  those  that 
pertain  to  religion.  I  cannot  help  trembling  for 
my  country,  in  these  days  of  infidel  democracy. 
I  fear,  too  many  young  students  at  college  treat 
the  Scriptures  with  neglect,  if  not  with  con- 
tempt. Some  such  have  lately  passed  the 
Christmas  vacation  at  Bath,  and  have  made  a 
very  unbecoming  display  of  their  sentiments  at 
the  coffee-houses  and  public  rooms.  I  sincerely 
hope  that  you  will  be  preserved  from  this  con- 
tagion. It  has  been  my  prayer  to  God  from  your 
infancy  that  you  might  live  and  die  a  true 
Christian.  I  am  more  anxious  about  this  point 
than  about  your  classical  and  mathematical  at- 
tainments, important  as  they  may  be.  I  know 
you  will  bear  with  a  mother's  exhortations ; 
they  come  from  a  heart  which  has  long  beat 
with  anxiety  for  your  welfare." 

Mr.  Richmond  entered  the  university  with 
a  high  character  for  proficiency  both  in  the 
classics  and  in  mathematics  ;  and  while  there 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  15 

he  applied  himself  to  his  studies  with  great 
diligence.  He  was  universally  esteemed  as  a 
young  man  of  great  abilities  and  correct  conduct; 
and  at  the  annual  examinations  he  stood  each 
year  in  the  highest  class. 

It  was  the  wish  of  Mr.  Richmond's  father  that 
he  should  embrace  the  profession  of  the  law ; 
and  such  was  also  his  own  intention  ;  but  when 
he  had  been  four  years  at  college,  his  mind 
was  strongly  inclined  to  the  ministerial  office. 
Having,  after  much  deliberation,  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  it  was  his  duty  to  devote  him- 
self to  the  ministry,  he  communicated  his  views 
on  the  subject  to  his  father,  who  cheerfully  ac- 
quiesced in  his  decision. 

To  Mr.  Richmond's  mother  this  was  a  source 
of  peculiar  satisfaction.  It  had  ever  been  her 
secret  wish  and  desire  that  her  son  might  be- 
come a  minister  of  God's  word ;  but  she  had 
never  disclosed  it  to  him,  from  a  fear  of  creating 
an  undue  bias  in  a  matter  which  she  considered 
of  so  great  importance.  Her  views  of  the  mi- 
nisterial profession  were  peculiarly  serious,  and 
she  dreaded  the  idea  of  a  rash  intrusion  into 
the  sacred  office.  She  wished  her  son  to  fol- 
low the  bent  of  his  own  mind,  and  hoped  that 
God  would  direct  him  in  the  right  path. 

In  a  letter  written  to  him  a  few  days  after 


16  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND, 

he  had  opened  his  mind  on  the  subject,  she 
says  : — 

"  Your  account  of  the  motives  which  have 
determined  you  to  enter  into  the  church,  as 
contained  in  your  letter  to  your  father,  has  given 
us  both  great  satisfaction.  Your  determination 
on  this  point  appears  to  me  as  an  answer  to 
the  prayers  which  I  have  been  offering  up  ever 
since  you  were  born.  The  character  of  a  good 
clergyman  has  ever  stood  foremost  in  my  esti- 
mation ;  and  on  the  other  hand  that  of  a  careless, 
idle,  and  dissipated,  and,  above  all,  an  immoral 
one,  has  been  my  dread  and  abhorrence.  The 
object  of  almost  every  other  profession  termi- 
nates with  this  world  and  its  concerns  ;  but  that 
of  a  clergyman  looks  to  eternity.  Here  much 
depends  upon  the  character  and  conduct  of  the 
minister  of  a  parish.  Your  grandfather  Rich- 
mond was  an  excellent  pattern  of  what  a  pastor 
should  be,  and  I  sincerely  wish  you  may  tread 
in  his  steps.  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  Bath  has 
long  been  the  annual  resort  of  a  class  of  young 
clergymen,  whom  I  hope  you  will  never  imitate. 
The  ball-room,  the  theatre,  and  the  card-table 
are  not  the  appointed  scenes  of  clerical  occu- 
pation." 

"  Your  choice  of  your  profession  has  eased 
my  mind  of  a  considerable  burden ;  and  the  prin- 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  17 

ciples  which  you  express  give  me  hope  that  if 
my  life  be  spared,  you  will  be  a  comfort  to  my 
old  age,  and  also  a  blessing  to  many  others. 
Pray  to  God  for  direction  and  counsel  in  all 
your  ways  ;  trust  in  the  mercy  of  the  Saviour  ; 
and  pursue  the  path  of  duty,  as  the  appointed 
way  to  happiness." 

He  continued  to  reside  at  Cambridge,  pur- 
suing those  studies  which  were  more  imme- 
diately connected  with  his  future  destination, 
till  the  end  of  the  midsummer  term  in  1797. 
In  the  month  of  June  of  that  year  he  was  or- 
dained deacon  ;  in  the  beginning  of  July  he  took 
his  degree  of  M.  A. ;  on  the  22d  of  the  same 
month  he  was  married,  immediately  after  which 
he  proceeded  to  the  Isle  of  Wight,  and  entered 
upon  the  curacies  of  the  adjoining  parishes  of 
Brading  and  Yaverland.  Thus  in  the  course 
of  a  few  weeks  he  became,  to  use  his  own 
words,  "  academically  a  master  of  arts,  domes- 
tically a  husband,  and  parochially  a  deacon." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter 
written  to  him  by  his  mother  soon  after  he  was 
ordained,  and  before  he  departed  for  his  cu- 
racy:— 

"  I  passed  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which 
my  dear  son  was  ordained  (last  Trinity  Sunday) 
in  privacy  and  prayer.  Next  to  the  day  that 
2 


18  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOJVD. 

gave  you  birth,  I  consider  it  as  the  most  im- 
portant of  your  life.  You  are  now  become  a 
minister  of  the  Church.  Yours  is  a  weighty 
charge — ^may  God  give  you  grace  to  fulfil  its 
duties  aright.  You  are  going  to  reside  in  a 
beautiful  country,  and  I  hope  you  will  also  find 
'  the  beauty  of  holiness'  there.  I  always  had 
a  desire  to  see  the  Isle  of  Wight ;  and  now  I 
have  the  prospect  of  visiting  the  young  pastor 
and  his  flock,  as  an  additional  inducement  to 
go  there.  I  shall  conclude  by  observing  that 
as  it  may  now  seem  too  presuming  in  me  to 
give  lectures  on  theology  to  a  reverend  divine, 
I  shall  henceforth  rather  expect  to  receive  them 
from  you ;  but  a  mother's  prayers  may  be  as 
needful  as  ever,  and  her  blessing  no  less  ac- 
ceptable than  formerly.  Take  them  both  from 
Your  affectionate  mother, 

C.  R." 


LIFE   OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  19 


CHAPTER  II. 

MR.  RICHMOND'S  CONVERSION   AND  MINISTRY  IN 
THE  ISLE    OF  WIGHT. 

Mr.  Richmond  entered  upon  the  ministry 
with  a  sincere  desire  to  discharge  its  important 
duties  in  a  consistent  and  conscientious  manner. 
Writing  to  his  father  a  few  days  after  his  ordi- 
nation, he  says,  "  I  am  now  preparing  to  under- 
take what  I  cannot  but  consider  as  a  most 
serious  and  weighty  charge — the  sole  responsi- 
bility, as  resident  clergyman,  of  two  parishes. 
So  far  as  information  is  required,  I  hope  I  have 
not  laboured  in  vain ;  so  far  as  good  resolution  is 
concerned,  I  trust  I  am  not  deficient;  as  regards 
my  success  and  future  conduct  in  this  important 
calling,  I  pray  God's  assistance  to  enable  me  to 
do  my  duty,  and  to  become  a  worthy  member 
of  the  Established  Church.  The  character  of  a 
fashionable  parson  is  my  aversion;  that  of  an 
ignorant  or  careless  one,  I  see  with  pity  and  con- 
tempt ;  that  of  a  dissipated  one  with  shame ;  and 
that  of  an  unbelieving  one  with  horror." 

But  with  all  this  Mr.  Richmond  appears  to 
have  been  but  little  aware  of  the  magnitude 
and  responsibihty  of  the  work  in  which  he  was 


20  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

engaged.  Although  in  the  general  duties  of  his 
new  charge,  and  in  his  moral  deportment,  he 
manifested  such  a  propriety  of  conduct  as  to 
acquire  the  character  of  a  highly  respectable 
and  useful  young  clergyman,  yet  one  important 
thing — the  one  thing  needful — -was  lacking. 
As  yet  he  was  himself  but  little  acquainted 
with  the  things  of  God,  and  was  therefore  little 
qualified  to  become  the  spiritual  instructer  of 
others.  He  possessed  the  "  form,"  but  was  in 
a  great  measure  destitute  of  the  "power"  of 
godliness. 

After  he  had  resided  at  Brading  about  two 
months,  however,  it  pleased  God,  who  had 
marked  him  out  as  a  chosen  instrument  of  ex- 
tensive usefulness  in  his  church,  by  an  appa- 
rently trivial  and  unimportant  circumstance,  to 
produce  a  complete  revolution  in  his  religious 
sentiments.  A  thoughtless  candidate  for  the 
ministry,  one  of  Mr.  Richmond's  college  friends, 
having  been  presented  by  a  relative  with  a  copy 
of  Mr.  Wilberforce's  celebrated  work  on  Prac- 
tical Christianity,  and  having  no  disposition  to 
peruse  it,  sent  it  to  Mr.  Richmond  with  a  re- 
quest that  he  would  read  it,  and  inform  him 
what  he  was  to  say  respecting  its  contents. 
In  compliance  with  this  request  he  began  to 
read  the  book,  and  became  so  deeply  interested 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  21 

that  he  did  not  lay  it  down  till  he  had  finished 
the  perusal.  The  effect  which  it  produced  we 
state  in  his  own  words  : — "  I  feel  it  to  be  a  debt 
of  gratitude  which  I  owe  to  God  and  man,  to 
take  this  opportunity  of  stating  that  to  the  un- 
sought and  unexpected  introduction  of  Mr.  Wil- 
berforce's  book  on  Practical  Christianity,  I  owe, 
through  God's  mercy,  the  first  sacred  impres- 
sion which  I  ever  received,  as  to  the  spiritual 
nature  of  the  gospel  system,  the  vital  character 
of  personal  religion,  the  corruption  of  the  hu- 
man heart,  and  the  way  of  salvation  by  Jesus 
Christ.  As  a  young  minister,  recently  ordained, 
and  just  intrusted  with  the  charge  of  two  pa- 
rishes in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  I  had  commenced 
my  labours  too  much  in  the  spirit  of  the  world, 
and  founded  my  public  instruction  on  the  erro- 
neous notions  which  prevailed  among  my  aca- 
demical and  literary  associates.  The  Scrip- 
tural principles  stated  in  the  '  Practical  View' 
convinced  me  of  my  error  ;  led  me  to  the  study 
of  the  Scriptures  with  an  earnestness  to  which 
I  had  hitherto  been  a  stranger ;  humbled  my 
heart,  and  brought  me  to  seek  the  love  and 
blessing  of  that  Saviour  who  alone  can  afford 
a  peace  which  the  world  cannot  give." 

Having  experienced  the  renewing  influences 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  Mr.  Richmond,  with  an  en- 


22  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

liglitened  understanding,  and  devoted  zeal,  now 
set  himself  to  "  do  the  work  of  an  evangelist." 
Previously  to  this  important  change  in  his  reli- 
gious sentiments,  he  had  in  his  preaching  and 
labours  aimed  at  nothing  more  than  an  outward 
reform  of  the  habits  and  manners  of  the  people  ; 
and  this  he  had  in  a  great  measure  effected. 
He  had  made  them  more  regular  in  attending 
the  services  of  the  sanctuary ;  and,  so  far  as 
their  exterior  conduct  was  concerned,  had  cer- 
tainly wrought  much  improvement.  But  here 
the  effect  of  his  labours  had  stopped  ;  for  as  re- 
garded the  great  end  of  the  Christian  ministry 
— the  conversion  of  immortal  souls — his  preach- 
ing had  been  utterly  powerless.  Awakened 
to  better  views,  the  important  and  essential 
doctrines  of  the  gospel, — the  fallen  and  ruined 
state  of  man,  and  his  deliverance  and  redemp- 
tion by  Jesus  Christ, — now  became  the  promi- 
nent themes  of  his  public  addresses  ;  and  the 
happy  conversion  of  many  of  his  hearers  fur- 
nished unquestionable  evidence  that  the  preach- 
ing of  "  Christ  crucified"  was  indeed  "  the 
power  of  God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God." 

He  was  not  only  instant  in  preaching  the 
word,  but  he  also,  like  a  faithful  pastor,  visited 
his  flock  "  from  house  to  house,"  taking  care  to 
make    these    opportunities    occasions,    not   of 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  23 

friendly  intercourse  merely,  but  of  spiritual  edi- 
fication and  improvement. 

The  children — those  lambs  of  the  flock — 
were  also  the  objects  of  his  tender  solicitude. 
These  he  invited  to  meet  him  weekly  at  his 
house  every  Saturday  afternoon,  when  he  heard 
them  read,  repeat  catechisms,  hymns,  and  por- 
tions of  Scripture  ;  and  he  also  engaged  in  fa- 
miliar conversation  with  them  respecting  those 
things  by  which  he  hoped  to  see  them  made 
"  wise  unto  salvation."  In  the  summer  sea- 
son he  frequently  met  his  little  flock  in  the 
open  air,  under  the  shade  of  some  trees  in  his 
garden. 

One  of  the  happy  results  of  these  youthful 
meetings  is  recorded  in  the  memoir  of  "  Little 
Jane,  or  the  Young  Cottager,"  who,  Mr.  Rich- 
mond states,  was,  so  far  as  he  could  trace  or 
discover,  his  first-born  spiritual  child  in  the 
gospel. 

This  little  girl  was  a  constant  attendant  on 
these  weekly  meetings ;  but  being  of  a  quiet,  re- 
tiring disposition,  she  was  little  noticed,  except 
for  her  regular  and  orderly  conduct.  About  a 
year  after  the  commencement  of  her  attendance 
she  was  absent  for  several  weeks,  and  Mr. 
Richmond  was  informed  that  she  was  sick,  and 
would  be  glad  to  see  him.     He  called  the  next 


24  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

morning  at  the  cottage  in  which  she  lived.  It 
was  a  dwelling  of  the  humblest  kind,  and  suffi- 
ciently showed  the  poverty  of  its  occupiers. 
He  found  little  Jane  in  bed,  and  evidently  far 
gone  in  a  consumption.  He  immediately  en- 
tered into  conversation  with  her  respecting  her 
spiritual  state,  and  was  both  surprised  and  de- 
lighted to  find  that  the  instructions  he  had  given 
her  had  been  blessed  to  the  conversion  of  her 
soul.  He  says, "  The  marks  of  a  divine  change 
were  too  prominent  to  be  easily  mistaken  ;  and 
in  this  very  child  I  for  the  first  time  witnessed 
the  evident  testimonies  of  such  a  change.  .  . 
As  I  returned  home,  my  heart  was  filled  with 
thankfulness  for  what  I  had  seen  and  heard. 
Little  Jane  appeared  to  be  a  first-fruits  of  my 
spiritual  harvest.  This  thought  greatly  com- 
forted and  strengthened  me  in  my  spiritual  pros- 
pects." 

The  case  of  this  child  was  rendered  the  more 
affecting  from  the  circumstance  that  both  her 
parents  were  persons  of  depraved  character  and 
intemperate  habits,  and  treated  with  cruel  and 
profane  ridicule  the  admonitions  of  their  dying 
child,  who  was  much  concerned  for  their  spi- 
ritual welfare. 

Mr.  Richmond  visited  her  constantly  till  her 
death  :  and  his  conversations  with  her  on  these 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  25 

occasions  are  imbodied  in  the  deeply  interest- 
ing narrative  to  which  we  have  referred. 

It  was  during  his  residence  at  Brading  that 
Mr.  Richmond  became  acquainted  with  the 
subject  of  the  most  popular  of  all  his  tracts, 
the  "  Dairyman's  Daughter."  Her  name  was 
Elizabeth  Wallbridge.  She  was  a  native  of 
Arreton,  a  small  village  in  the  Isle  of  Wight, 
about  six  miles  from  Brading.  At  an  early  age 
she  left  her  parents  and  lived  for  several  years 
as  a  servant  in  respectable  families.  In  none 
of  these  families,  however,  was  any  attention 
paid  to  eternal  things  ;  and  Elizabeth  being  of 
a  lively,  thoughtless  disposition,  fond  of  dress 
and  finery,  and  possessing  some  wit,  it  is  not 
surprising  that  she  not  only  manifested  no  con- 
cern about  religion  herself,  but  also  treated  with 
ridicule  and  sarcasm  those  who  did.  Thus  she 
lived  till  she  was  about  twenty-five  years  of 
age,  when  she  and  one  of  her  fellow-servants 
were  induced,  chiefly  from  motives  of  curiosi- 
ty, to  go  and  hear  the  Rev.  James  Crabb,  a 
Methodist  preacher  who  occasionally  visited 
Southampton,  where  she  then  lived.  They 
were  deeply  affected  by  the  sermon,  and  went 
again,  and  the  happy  result  was  the  conversion 
of  both,  and  their  union  with  the  Methodist 
society. 


26  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

From  this  memorable  period  Elizabeth  was 
a  "  new  creature."  All  who  knew  her,  concur 
in  testifying  that  from  the  day  of  her  conversion 
she  was  entirely  and  steadily  devoted  to  God. 
She  "  adorned  the  doctrine  of  God  her  Saviour 
in  all  things,"  and  by  her  holy  life  and  conver- 
sation was  instrumental  in  bringing  her  father, 
mother,  and  one  of  her  sisters,  to  the  knowledge 
and  experience  of  "  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus." 
She  continued  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Society  until  her  death,  which  took  place  in 
1801,  in  the  thirty-first  year  of  her  age.*  The 
circumstances  of  Mr.  Richmond's  first  commu- 
nication and  subsequent  intercourse  with  her 
are  given  in  his  tract,  to  which  we  shall  have 
occasion  to  refer  in  another  part  of  the  present 
narrative. 

Within  the  parish  of  Brading,  at  the  distance 
of  about  two  miles,  was  situated  the  hamlet  of 
Bembridge.  To  this  place  Mr.  Richmond  went 
once  in  every  week  to  expound  the  Scriptures, 
and  to  meet  those  who,  through  age  and  infirm- 

*  The  name  of  the  fellow-servant  of  Elizabeth,  who  went 
with  her  to  hear  Mr.  Crabb,  was  Elizabeth  Groves  ;  she 
was  in  1837  yet  living  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  and  still  hold- 
ing on  in  the  good  way,  having  been  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church  more  than  forty  years. — Carvossoi's 
"  Further  Account  of  the  Dairyman'' s  Da^ighter^ 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  27 

ity,  or  other  causes,  were  unable  to  attend  the 
parish  church. 

In  the  year  1801  he  formed  at  Brading  a 
society  which  was  productive  of  much  benefit. 
From  the  following  "  regulation,"  which  affords 
a  general  idea  of  its  character  and  objects,  it 
will  be  seen  that  in  many  respects  it  strikingly 
resembled  a  Methodist  class  meeting  : — "  The 
society  will  meet  every  Wednesday  evening, 
when  the  director  will  attend,  for  the  purpose 
of  explaining  the  Holy  Scriptures,  the  Liturgy 
of  the  Church  of  England,  and  other  such  godly 
books  as  he  may  think  useful  and  profitable  for 
the  instruction  and  edification  of  the  members  ; 
giving  them  such  friendly  and  Christian  ex- 
hortation and  counsel  as  each  or  all  of  them 
may  require  ;  answering  any  questions  which 
they  may  wish  to  propose,  respecting  the  mean- 
ing and  design  of  the  word  of  God,  and  their 
own  conduct  and  religious  progress  in  general ; 
and  joining  in  prayer  with  them  to  Almighty 
God,  for  a  blessing  upon  themselves,  their  fami- 
lies, their  neighbours,  and  their  country,  and 
the  whole  church  of  God,  wherever  dispersed 
in  the  world." 

In  his  first  address  to  them  (a  copy  of  which 
was  found  among  his  papers)  he  remarks : — 
"  It  shall  be  my  care  to  do  all  in  my  power  to 


28  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

cherish  and  support  you  in  all  virtue  and  godli- 
ness of  living,  to  comfort  you  in  affliction,  to 
clear  up  your  doubts,  to  reprove  your  faults, 
encourage  your  good  resolutions,  and  to  be,  by 
God's  help,  a  spiritual  pastor  among  you,  to  lead 
you  through  the  pilgrimage  of  this  life  to  the 
enjoyment  of  the  glories  of  paradise.  All  that 
I  now  ask  and  beseech  of  you  is,  that  you  will 
be  in  earnest  in  your  present  profession,  and 
strive  with  heart  and  soul  to  persevere  in  that 
good  road,  wherein  I  trust  you  are  now  going. 
And  remember  how  sad  will  be  the  lot  of  those 
who,  having  put  their  hand  to  the  plough,  look 
back  again,  and  are  no  longer  fit  for  the  king- 
dom of  heaven.  Be  strong,  then,  in  the  Lord  ; 
and  may  his  grace  preserve  you  in  your  good 
resolutions,  and  bring  you  to  the  full  knowledge 
of  the  excellence  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  give  you 
the  greatest  of  all  blessings,  the  forgiveness  of 
sins  in  this  world,  and  life  everlasting  in  the 
next." 

To  the  soldiers  that  were  occasionally  quar- 
tered in  that  part  of  the  country,  his  ministry 
was  made  highly  useful.  The  case  of  one  of 
them  is  so  remarkable  that  it  deserves  to  be 
mentioned. 

A  pious  soldier  who  had  frequently  called  on 
Mr.  Richmond,  one  day  brought  with  him  a 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  .    29 

comrade  who  wished  to  dispose  of  some  cler- 
gyman's bands,  one  or  two  religious  books,  and 
some  manuscript  sermons,  in  order  to  provide 
himself  with  a  few  necessaries,  which  he  had  no 
other  means  of  procuring.  The  stranger,  with 
some  embarrassment,  communicated  privately 
to  Mr.  Richmond  several  circumstances  of  his 
past  life.  He  stated  that  he  was  the  son  of  a 
clergyman  in  Wales  ;  that  he  had  himself  been 
regularly  ordained,  and  had  officiated  for  three 

years  in  a  curacy  in  the  county  of  W ;  but 

that  having  by  imprudence  and  inattention  to 
the  decorum  which  suited  his  office,  contracted 
debts  which  he  had  neither  the  means  nor  the 
prospect  of  paying,  he  had,  to  avoid  disgrace 
and  imprisonment,  enlisted  as  a  common  soldier, 
had  served  in  the  late  campaign  in  Holland,  and 
was  now  about  to  proceed  with  the  army  to 
Egypt.  He  showed  Mr.  Richmond  some  let- 
ters and  papers  establishing  the  correctness  of 
his  story,  and  also  wrote  some  sentences  in  his 
presence,  proving  his  handwriting  to  be  the 
same  as  that  of  the  manuscript  sermons  he  had 
with  him.  Mr.  Richmond  was  greatly  con- 
cerned at  what  he  had  related,  and  immediately 
entered  into  a  close  and  friendly  expostulation 
with  him  on  the  inconsistency  of  his  present 
course  with  the  sacred  profession  to  which  he 


30  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND, 

was  bound  by  the  most  indissoluble  ties,  and 
urged  the  duty  of  his  endeavouring  to  return,  if 
possible,  to  the  discharge  of  his  ministerial  du- 
ties with  a  mind  influenced  and  improved  by 
the  experience  of  past  hardships  and  misfor- 
tunes. He,  however,  appeared  but  little  dis- 
posed to  follow  this  advice,  and  it  was  evident 
that  no  impression  of  a  religious  kind  had  been 
made  upon  his  mind.  Mr.  Richmond  therefore 
purchased  the  articles  he  had  for  sale,  gave  him 
a  couple  of  books,  and  dismissed  him  with  a 
blessing,  once  more  entreating  him  to  lay  to 
heart  what  he  had  said. 

Two  days  after  this  interview,  which  took 
place  in  1801,  the  expedition  sailed  for  Egypt, 
and  Mr.  Richmond  heard  no  more  of  the  soldier 
till  June,  1802,  when  the  pious  comrade,  who 
originally  accompanied  him,  again  called  on  Mr. 
Richmond,  and  gave  him  a  relation,  of  which 
the  following  is  the  substance  : — 

"  You  without  doubt  remember  Mr.  E , 

the  young  clergyman  whom  I  brought  to  your 
house  the  year  before  last.  At  that  time  I  knew 
very  little  of  him  ;  he,  however,  shortly  after  we 
left  you,  observed  with  some  emotion,  that  what 
you  had  said  to  him  had  made  more  impression 
upon  his  mind  than  any  thing  he  had  ever  heasd 
in  the  coiu'se  of  his  life.     He  then  made  mo 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  31 

also  acquainted  with  his  history,  to  which  I 
was  before  a  stranger.  I  did  not  see  him 
again  till  after  our  departure  for  Egypt,  and  as 
we  embarked  in  different  ships,  it  was  not  till 
our  arrival  at  Malta  that  we  met  together.  Mr. 
E took  an  immediate  opportunity  of  say- 
ing, '  W ,  I  have  long  wished  to  see  you  ; 

I  want  to  tell  you  how  greatly  indebted  I  feel 
to  that  dear  friend  of  yours  at  Brading.  I  can 
never  forget  him ;  his  words  made  a  deep  im- 
pression on  my  heart,  and  I  trust,  by  the  bless- 
ing of  God,  they  will  make  a  still  deeper.'  He 
showed  strong  marks  of  penitence,  and  gave  a 
favourable  hope  of  an  important  change  having 
taken  place  in  his  views  and  dispositions.  I 
was  happy  to  find  on  the  reassembling  of  the 
regiment,  that  among  the  recruits  were  a  few 

seriously  disposed.     Mr.   E and   myself 

soon  formed  a  little  religious  society  among 
them,  which  gradually  increased  to  the  number 
of  twenty-four ;  we  met  as  often  as  possible  to 
read  the  Bible  together,  converse  on  the  con- 
cerns of  eternity,  and  unite  in  prayer  to  Al- 
mighty God  for  his  blessing  on  our  endeavours. 
We  derived  much  benefit  from  these  meetings. 
When  we  arrived  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  Mr. 

E and  myself  were  in  the  same  boat  at  the 

time  of  our  landing  at  Aboukir.     The  French 


32  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND- 

artillery  kept  up  a  tremendous  fire  upon  us  for 
some  time,  but  we  both,  through  the  mercy  of 
God,  escaped  unhurt.  Our  little  society  after- 
ward continued  its  meetings  as  regularly  as  the 
trying  circumstances  of  our  situation  would  ad- 
mit. On  the  evening  preceding  the  battle  of 
the  21st  of  March,  1801,  we  all  met  together. 
Mr.  E.  then  said,  '  1  cannot  account  for  the 
strong  impression  which  has  seized  my  mind, 
that  I  shall  not  survive  to-morrow's  engagement. 
No  such  prepossession  ever  occupied  my 
thoughts  on  any  former  occasion  ;  I  feel,  there- 
fore, strongly  affected  by  this  ;  but  if  it  be  thy 
will,  O  God,  thy  will  be  done  ! '  We  then 
united  in  prayer  for  him,  for  ourselves,  and  for 
all  Our  brethren  in  arms,  beseeching  God  to 
prepare  us  for  the  awful  trial,  and  give  us  grace 
either  to  meet  death  with  joyful  hope,  or  to  re- 
ceive his  sparing  mercy,  if  our  lives  should  be 
preserved,  with  gratitude.  Knowing  the  im- 
portance of  the  next  day's  battle,  and  the  little 
chance  we  stood  of  all  meeting  again  in  this 
world,  we  embraced  each  other  with  peculiar 
attachment,  and  mutual  recommendation  to  the 
God  of  battle  and  the  preserver  of  souls.  O 
sir  !  it  was  a  happy,  but  trying  season  to  us  ;  I 

saw  Mr.  E an  hour  before  the  horrors  of 

that  bloody  day  commenced  ;  his  words  were. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOXD.  33 

*  Pray  earnestly  for  me,  and  if  I  am  killed,  and 
you  should  be  spared,  give  my  last  blessing  to 
our  worthy  and  dear  friend  at  Brading ;  tell 
Mr.  Richmond,'  continued  he,  '  that  I  owe  him 
more  than  worlds  can  repay  :  he  first  opened 
my  heart  to  conviction,  and  God  has  blessed  it 
to  repentance :  through  the  unspeakable  mer- 
cies of  Christ,  I  can  die  with  comfort.' 

"  After  the  engagement,  our  little  society  met 
according  to  agreement.     Every  life  was  spared 

except  that  of  poor  Mr.  E ,  whose  head  was 

taken  off  by  a  cannon  ball  at  an  early  period  of 
the  action.  Such  was  the  will  of  God.  While 
therefore  we  returned  hearty  thanks  for  our 
preservation,  we  blessed  God's  goodness  for 
sparing  the  life  of  our  departed  brother,  till  by 
a  lively  exercise  of  faith  and  repentance,  as  we 
had  every  reason  to  trust,  God  had  made  him 
his  own.  I  now  also  bless  God,  that  I  have 
had  this  opportunity  of  seeing  and  relating  to 
you  a  story,  which  I  know  you  rejoice  to  hear." 

By  the  will  of  the  Rev.  Henry  Brindley, 
a  benevolent  clergyman  of  the  Established 
Church,  provision  was  made  for  the  annual  de- 
livery of  a  sermon  on  the  subject  of  cruelty  to 
the  brute  creation.  The  sermon  for  1801  was 
preached  by  Mr.  Richmond  on  the  15th  of 
3 


34  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

February  in  the  Abbey  Church  at  Bath,  from 
Genesis  i,  26,  "  And  God  said,  Lei  us  make  man 
in  our  image,  after  our  likeness ;  and  let  them 
have  dominion  over  the  jish  of  the  sea,  and  over 
the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over  the  cattle,  and  over 
all  the  earth,  and  over  every  creeping  thing  that 
creepeth  upon  the  earth ^^  From  these  words  the 
preacher  took  occasion  to  show  the  nature  of 
that  dominion  over  the  brute  creation  with 
which  God  has  invested  man — that  it  is  a  ma- 
nifest part  of  the  divine  will  that  it  should  be 
a  merciful  dominion  ;  and  that  no  one  who  has 
any  claim  to  the  name  or  character  of  a  Chris- 
tian will  be  guilty  of  any  wilful  and  needless 
act  of  cruelty.  The  sermon,  which  appears  to 
have  excited  considerable  attention,  was  after- 
ward printed  at  the  request  of  the  congregation. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  35 


CHAPTER  III. 

LETTER    TO    HIS     SISTER     ON     HER     MARRIAGE  ; 
EXTRACTS  FROM    HIS  JOURNAL. 

The  following  letter  was  addressed  by  Mr. 
Richmond  in  the  early  part  of  1801  to  his  sis- 
ter, on  her  marriage  :  it  contains  much  appro- 
priate and  wholesome  advice  : — 

"  Forgive  me,  beloved  sister,  if  I  express  my- 
self with  more  than  customary  anxiety,  in  now 
writing  to  you ;  related  as  I  am  by  the  nearest  ties 
of  kindred,  and  by  the  still  more  close  bonds  of 
love  and  tender  affection.  I  feel  a  lively  interest 
in  all  which  concerns  you ;  and  should  be  more 
than  commonly  happy,  if  a  brother's  prayer,  and 
a  brother's  admonition,  should  prove  in  any  way 
conducive  to  the  Avelfare  and  advancement  of  a 
much-loved  sister. 

"  I  am  desirous  of  seeing  and  knowing  that 
you  will  shine  in  the  united  characters  of 
wife,  mother,  friend,  and  Christian.  I  feel 
truly  and  unequivocally  anxious  that  you  should 
not,  even  in  appearance,  sink  into  the  mere 
accomplished  and  elegant  woman.  I  wish  you 
to  set  a  right  estimate  upon  that  far  more  ac- 
complished, and  infinitely  more  useful  charac- 


36  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND, 

ter,  which  exists  chiefly  within  the  walls  of 
your  own  house.  Every  thing  depends  on  your 
first  outset.  By  the  model  which  you  frame 
for  your  conduct  tJiis  very  year,  will  probably  be 
regulated  all  your  subsequent  character  and 
conduct  in  every  future  station  and  relation  of 
life. 

"  You  know  well  the  affection,  and  I  trust 
will  not  despise  the  judgment  and  sentiments, 
of  him  who  speaks  thus  candidly  and  frankly 
to  you.  I  am  well  persuaded  that  a  young  wo- 
man, to  be  truly  respectable,  must  dare  to  be 
laudably  singular.  There  always  will  be  a  cer- 
tain description  of  persons  in  every  place,  who 
will  wonder  that  you  can  exist  without  passing 
your  time  as  they  do  ;  but  among  those  whose 
esteem  and  opinion  alone  ought  to  regulate 
your  own  feelings  and  conduct,  the  more  re- 
tired and  seldom-to-be-seen  wife,  whose  theatre 
of  real  action  and  real  pleasure  is  within  her 
own  house,  in  the  fulfilment  of  sober,  useful, 
and  exemplary  duties,  will  ever  be  most  be- 
loved, most  respected,  and  most  befriended. 

"  By  way  of  immediate  occupation  of  your 
time  and  thoughts,  allow  me  to  direct  them  to 
the  relief  and  benefit  of  the  poor ;  not  by  idle 
gratuities,  but  by  diligently  seeking  them  out, 
informing  yourself  of  their  wants  and  distresses, 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  37 

and  economizing  in  superfluities,  in  order  that 
thereby  the  poor  may  abound  in  needfuls,  and 
you  may  abound  in  their  blessings.  Be  sys- 
tematically charitable,  both  to  their  souls  and 
bodies.  Promote  plans  for  instruction  ;  assist 
in  superintending  them ;  employ  yourself  in 
making  clothes  for  them  ;  and  rest  not  till  you 
have  made  it  a  settled  and  uniform  part  of  your 
character,  to  be  actively,  constantly,  and  watch- 
fully charitable. 

"  Be  scrupulously  attentive  to  the  observance 
of  the  sabbath,  both  in  public  and  in  private, 
both  at  church  and  at  home  ;  and  in  all  your 
pleasures,  all  your  pains,  all  your  employments, 
prospects,  plans,  and  engagements,  remember 
that  the  use  of  this  life  is  to  prepare  for  a  bet- 
ter ;  and  that  '  strait  is  the  gate,  and  narrow  is 
the  way  that  leads  to  eternal  life,  and  few  there 
be  that  find  it.'  Read  your  Bible  with  prayer, 
daily,  under  the  impression  of  this  awful  truth  : 
and  may  God  remember  you,  my  dearest  sister, 
among  those  whom  he  especially  loveth ;  and 
his  grace  render  you  Avhat  I  wish  you  may 
always  prove  to  be,  a  valued  wife,  a  tender  mo- 
ther, an  estimable  friend,  and  a  devoted  Chris- 
tian. 

"  Your  affectionate  brother, 

"  L.  Richmond." 


38  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

In  January,  1804,  Mr.  Richmond  commenced 
keeping  a  diary  of  his  religious  experience, 
which  he  continued  to  August  of  the  same  year, 
after  which  he  does  not  appear  to  have  ever 
resumed  it.  A  few  passages  from  these  daily 
records  will  show  the  deep,  humble,  and  expe- 
rimental character  of  his  religion. 

"  January  1 .  A  new  year  is  begun,  but  where 
is  the  new  heart,  and  the  right  spirit  ?  O  weak- 
ness and  wickedness !  Preached  from  Rom. 
xi,  28,  29  ;  and  Job  xvi,  22.  Felt  much  satis- 
faction, after  the  morning  service,  from  J 

and  his  wife  proposing  to  become  members  of 
my  society.  He  shed  tears  of  penitence  and 
joy.  May  God  work  all  for  good.  In  the  af- 
ternoon I  felt  something  of  the  fear  of  man  ; 
but  found,  as  I  proceeded,  more  freedom.  O 
Lord,  save  me  from  fear  of  censure,  and  love 
of  praise  !  Went  in  the  evening  to  my  society 
at  Arreton ;  few,  but  meek,  humble,  and  hope- 
ful. Another  member  proposed,  an  infirm  old 
widow. 

"  Jan.  3.  I  am  very  deficient  in  steady,  per- 
severing diligence.  Let  me  think  much  of 
this,  and  learn  to  set  a  right  value  on  time. 
O,  how  precious  ought  every  hour  to  be,  when 
each  may  be  the  last !     Thought  much  of  Cow- 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  39 

per's  description  of  a  preacher.*  God  impress 
it  on  my  heart !  B.  is  buried  to-day ;  how 
dreadfully  unprepared  to  meet  his  God  !  How 
far  am  I  responsible  ?  Alas  !  how  great  is  the 
burden  of  the  pastor  !  Lord,  give  me  grace  to 
see  it,  and  feel  it  more  and  more,  and  enable 
me  to  bear  it  with  good  conscience.  I  have 
been  delighted,  and  I  hope  profited,  by  Bid- 
dulph's  funeral  sermon  on  Mr.  Drewitt ;  O  that 
I  were  like  him  !  I  now  wonder  that  I  had  not 
more  correspondence  with  that  holy  man  ;  I 
shall  ever  think  with  pleasure  of  my  introduc- 
tion to  him.  God  bring  us  together  at  the  last. 
I  trust  my  resolutions  gain  strength.  O  God, 
in  thy  mercy  strengthen  me  !  May  my 
thoughts  now  close  with  blessed  Drewitt,  and 

*  "  Would  I  describe  a  preacher,  such  as  Paul, 

Were  he  on  earth,  would  hear,  approve,  and  own, 
Paul  should  himself  direct  me.     I  would  trace 
His  master  strokes,  and  draw  from  his  design. 
I  would  express  him  simple,  grave,  sincere  ; 
In  doctrine  uncorrupt,  in  language  plain. 
And  plain  in  manner  ;  decent,  solemn,  chaste, 
And  natural  in  gesture  ;  much  impress'd 
Himself,  as  conscious  of  his  awful  charge, 
And  anxious  mainly  that  the  flock  he  feeds 
May  feel  it  too  ;  affectionate  in  look, 
And  tender  in  address,  as  well  becomes 
A  messenger  of  grace  to  guilty  men." — Task,  b.  ii. 


40  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

sink  to  peacefulness  with  a  blessing  on  the 
meditation, 

"  Jan,  &.  A  beautiful  frosty  morning.  Teach 
me,  O  Lord,  from  the  beauties  of  nature,  to 
learn  the  beauties  of  grace.  Every  returning 
morning  reminds  me  what  a  mercy  it  is  I  am 
still  alive  ;  and  have  space  and  time  given  me 
to  repent  and  believe.  Take  my  heart,  O  God, 
into  thy  keeping,  and  then  it  will  be  safe.  If  it 
be  thy  good  pleasure  to  rescue  me  from  tempo- 
ral perplexity,  let  my  gratitude  appear ;  if  not, 
let  it  be  ground  for  submission  and  patient 
resignation.  With  thee,  I  cannot  do  ill ;  with- 
out thee,  I  cannot  do  well.  Heard  Nugent's* 
morning  prayers.  May  he  learn  early  the  les- 
son, which  I  for  so  many  years  neglected,  and 
now  perform  so  unworthily.  Prayer  is  the 
breath  of  faith. 

"  Jan.  7.  Surprised  by  a  letter  from  Hannah 
More,  inviting  me  to  succeed  Mr.  Drewitt,  at 
Cheddar,  or  to  recommend  a  curate.  O,  I  am 
unworthy,  could  it  be  brought  about.  Yet  what 
a  field  to  act  upon  \  Lead  me,  O  God,  to  that 
which  is  right.  Shall  I  make  any  overtures  to 
remove  there  or  not?  It  has  filled  me  with 
mingled  contemplation  and  solicitude.     Is  it  a 

*  Mr.  Richmond's  eldest  son,  then  about  five  years  and 
a  half  old. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  41 

call  from  God,  or  ought  I  rather  to  do  his  work 
here  ?  Direct  my  heart,  O  God,  from  doubts 
and  wanderings,  into  thy  paths. 

"  Jan.  8,  Sunday.  Snow  and  sleet.  How 
cold  are  my  affections,  like  this  season.  Warm 
my  heart,  O  Lord,  till  it  burn  with  the  flames 
of  devotion.  Compose  my  thoughts  into  holy 
meditation,  and  let  not  the  events  of  the  day 
destroy  them. 

"  My  heart  heavy  in  reflecting  how  unworthy 
I  am  to  think  of  succeeding  Mr.  Drewitt :  to 
be  placed  in  such  a  parish,  with  such  neigh- 
bours and  friends  as  that  country  would  afford, 
might  be  an  unspeakable  benefit  to  me,  and  my 
dear  Mary ;  but  I  hardly  dare  think  of  it. 
Lord,  direct  me  for  the  best.  I  am  a  poor, 
weak,  irresolute,  sinful  creature  ;  without  thee 
I  can  do  nothing. 

"Jan.  10.  What  an  awful  idea  is  eternity! 
Am  I  prepared  to  encounter  it  ?  '  O  spare  me 
a  little,  that  I  may  recover  my  strength  before 
Lgo  hence,  and  be  no  more  seen  !'  Settle  my 
opinions  steadfastly,  and  above  all,  my  affec- 
tions on  thyself,  O  Lord  !  Have  mercy  on  the 
dear  children  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  and 
may  I  give  them  back  unto  thee  in  Jesus  Christ, 
their  and  my  Saviour.  I  fear  I  have  not  taught 
N.  all  I  ought,  and  of  which   he   is    capable. 


42  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

Let  me  lay  this  to  heart,  and  recommend  him 
to  God  in  prayer. 

"  Much  perplexed  what  to  say  to  Mrs.  More. 
Surely  if  vanity  wanted  food,  it  is  here — to  be 
solicited  by  a  Hannah  More  to  supply  the  place 
of  a  Drewitt !  But  a  sense  of  unworthiness, 
thank  God,  represses  emotions  like  these. 

"Jan.  14.  One  fortnight  more,  and  I  shall 
be  thirty-two  in  years  by  nature,  but  how  old  in 
grace  ?  Sloth,  detested  sloth,  how  does  it  in- 
jure my  advancement !  Would  to  God  I  might 
now  break  all  bonds,  and  fly  in  heart  and  soul 
to  the  possession  of  my  God !  There  are  mo- 
ments when  all  heaven  seems  open  before  me ; 
and  others,  when  I  tremble  over  the  pit  of  sor- 
rows. 

"Jan.  15.  The  sabbath  is  ended.  I  preached 
on  the  reason  why  Christ  delivered  his  doc- 
trine in  parables,  Matt,  xiii,  10, 11.  At  Yaver- 
land,  read  the  homily  on  the  time  and  place  of 
prayer.  Went  to  Arreton  ;  my  excellent,  though 
humble  friend,  J.  W.,  was  there.  I  pray  God 
I  might  sit  at  his  feet  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven; 
I  know  no  other  such  Christian  here.  Would 
to  God  I  were  like  him.  I  found  much  com- 
fort with  my  society.  Returned  in  thunder, 
lightning,  and  rain.  Thought  of  death  and  of 
judgment.     O,  awful  meditation  !     Let  me  ex- 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  43 

amine  my  heart  on  its  faith,  hope,  and  love. 
Help  me,  O  God,  to  pray;  and  so  may  thy 
blessing  rest  on  me  and  mine. 

"Jan.  18.  This  day,  with  thy  blessing,  I 
shall  go  to  feed  my  sheep  at  Bembridge.  Grant 
me  to  do  so  with  a  faithful  and  a  single  heart. 
I  always  look  upon  that  society  as  an  humble 
ground  for  hope  that  the  Lord  means  to  do  good 
through  me  ;  yet  how  often  do  I  perform  that 
duty  with  slothfulness  !  Give  me,  O  God,  more 
will,  and  strength,  and  grace,  and  power,  and 
blessing,  and  success  ;  and  teach  me  to  judge 
(if  it  so  please  thee)  by  the  state  of  my  people, 
of  my  own.  Provide  Cheddar  with  a  succes- 
sor to  Drewitt  after  thine  own  heart,  and  in- 
crease the  number  of  true  pastors,  and  of  true 
sheep  in  thy  pasture. 

"  Jan.  19.  How  vain  are  all  attempts  to  find 
peace  in  aught  but  the  gospel !  How  the 
world  steals  upon  the  mind,  and  usurps  the 
throne  of  God  !  '  Video  meliora  prohoque,  dete- 
riora  sequor.''*  Make  me  more  discreet  and 
considerate  in  the  management  of  my  property. 
Let  justice  and  generosity  be  equally  and  forci- 
bly remembered.  I  find  my  prayers  languid 
and  lukewarm  to-day.  Why  is  this  ?  The 
fault  must  lie  within. 

*  I  see  and  approve  the  better,  but  follow  the  worse. 


44  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

"  Jan.  29.  The  Lord's  sabbath,  and  my 
birth-day.  O  ahnighty  God,  sanctify  this  day 
to  my  heart ;  herein  and  henceforth  may  I  rest 
from  sin  and  spiritual  sorrow,  except  that  sor- 
row which  worketh  repentance  unto  salvation. 

"  Jan.  31.  May  God  strengthen  me  to  keep 
my  birth-day  resolutions  ;  I  am  very  weak  and 
unstable. 

"  A  momentary  fit  of  anger,  which,  blessed 
be  God,  I  immediately  tranquillized,  and 
sought  present  reconciliation.  Let  the  fear 
of  God's  anger  ever  make  me  afraid  of  my 
own. 

"  February  1 1 .  This  day  there  is  to  be  an 
eclipse  of  the  sun.  What  a  beautiful  emblem 
of  those  eclipses  of  the  soul,  which  sometimes 
hide  the  face  of  God  from  the  sons  of  earth ! 
O  revive  me  with  thy  presence,  my  God,  even 
thy  effectual  and  abiding  presence !  I  have 
been  meditating  on  the  parable  of  the  good  Sa- 
maritan, in  a  spiritual  application,  with  a  view 
of  preaching  on  it.  May  both  its  literal  and 
mystical  sense  shine  forth  in  me. 

"  To-morrow  is  thy  day,  O  God  of  hosts  ! 
may  I  sanctify  it,  and  may  my  words  be  blessed 
to  the  hearts  of  my  hearers.  Enable  me  to 
speak  from  the  heart  to  the  heart. 

"  Feb.  17.     Harassed  with  foolish  thoughts. 


LIFE  OF    LEGH    RICHMOND.  45 

I  grow  more  and  more  ashamed  of  myself,  that 
such  things  can  lay  hold  of  my  heart,  and  that 
I  should  have  such  deadness  toward  heaven. 
*  O  earth,  earth,  earth,  hear  the  word  of  the 
Lord!' 

"  I  have  been  to  Bembridge,  and  read  Bur- 
der's  poetical  abridgment  of  the  Pilgrim's  Pro- 
gress, with  profit  and  delight  to  us  all.  How 
much  more  am  I  in  my  element,  among  my  lit- 
tle flock,  than  scheming  in  the  world !  Drank  tea 
at  John  Wheler's  ;  his  cottage  is  God's  palace. 

"  Feb.  20.  Let  me  reflect  on  the  fleetness 
of  time,  and  on  the  uncertainty  of  my  life. 
Drewitt  was  taken  away  just  at  my  age — the 
hand  of  death  may  be  close.  O  what  folly  to 
imagine  it  at  a  distance  !    May  I  then  die  daily. 

"  Feb.  26.  A  serene  fine  morning  is  an  em- 
blem of  rest — rest  from  storms  and  rain  ;  how 
ought  I  to  seek  an  earnest  within  of  that  '  rest 
which  remaineth  for  the  people  of  God !'  In 
all  my  ministrations  this  day — in  the  sanctuary, 
the  house,  the  closet — may  all  be  to  thee,  and 
for  thee,  and  by  thee.  I  feel  my  own  deficien- 
cies daily  more  and  more  ;  O  God,  may  I  feel 
them  till  I  lose  them  ! 

"  March  12.  One  day  nearer  death  and 
eternity.  Lift  up  my  heart,  O  God,  in  earnest 
prayer  for  real  blessings.     Let  me  be  more 


46  LIFE  OF  LEGM  RICHMOND. 

desirous  of  graces  than  gifts,  and  yet  remember 
that  both  are  from  thee. 

"  March  24.  I  purpose  to  preach  five  evening 
lectures  next  week,  on  the  progress,  nature,  and 
extent  of  Christ's  sufferings.  May  the  subject 
animate  my  soul,  and  through  grace  give  life 
to  my  weak  faith  ! 

"  March  27.  I  feel  much  dissatisfied  with 
myself.  Lord,  what  am  I,  that  thou  shouldst 
so  regard  me  ?  A  worm,  a  vile  worm  of  the 
the  dust.  I  am  to  preach  to-night  a  lecture  on 
Christ's  sufferings.     What  do  I  suffer  for  him  ? 

"March  30.  Good  Friday.  I  bless  God 
that  my  first  act  has  been  weeping  for  thy  sor- 
rows, O  my  Saviour !" 

It  is  impossible  for  any  person  to  peruse  the 
foregoing  extracts  without  being  deeply  con- 
vinced of  the  sincerity  and  earnestness  of  the 
writer. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  47 


CHAPTER  IV. 

MR.  Richmond's  removal  from  brading,  and 

SETTLEMENT  AT  TURVEY. 

Mr.  Richmond  continued  with  his  little  flocks 
in  the  Isle  of  Wight  until  the  year  1805,  when 
he  acceded  to  a  proposal  which  was  made  to 
him  to  assist  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fry  in  his  laborious 
duties  as  chaplain  to  the  Lock  Hospital  in 
London.  His  chief  inducements  to  make  this 
change-  were  the  prospect  of  a  more  extended 
sphere  of  usefulness,  and  the  inadequacy  of  his 
income  to  meet  the  demands  of  an  increasing 
family. 

While  he  was  on  a  visit  to  London,  making 
the  necessary  arrangements  for  entering  upon 
his  new  appointment,  he  addressed  the  follow- 
ing letter  to  Mrs.  Richmond,  who  appears  to 
have  been  about  this  time  awakened  to  a  seri- 
ous concern  respecting  her  spiritual  state  : — 

''London,  April  20,  1805. 

"  My  Dear  Wife, — I   really  feel  it  as  an 

answer  to  very  many  prayers  which  I  have  for 

years  past  offered  up  for  you,  that  you  are  now 

seriously  thinking  on  the  all-important  subject 


48  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

of  religion.  I  trust  you  will  henceforth  become 
my  spiritual  monitor  and  counsellor,  my  help- 
meet in  every  good  word  and  work,  and  my 
wife  indeed,  united  in  grace  as  well  as  in  pro- 
vidence. With  respect  to  the  inward  conflicts 
and  doubts  which  you  entertain  in  your  mind, 
you  must  seek  spiritual  armour  to  fight  the  bat- 
tle. Remember  that  if  you  truly  desire  to  over- 
come all  the  evil  tempers,  affections,  desires, 
and  principles  of  your  natural  heart,  you  have 
an  evidence  within  that  God  must  have  wrought 
it,  and  that  he  will  not  suffer  you  to  be  tempted 
above  what  you  are  able  to  bear,  but  will,  with 
the  temptation,  make  a  way  to  escape.  With 
respect  to  prayer,  I  recommend  you  to  consider 
the  precept  "pray  always"  and  "without  ceas- 
ing." Thse  evidently  refer  to  that  perpetual 
disposition  of  the  heart  to  lift  itself  up  in  sud- 
den, short,  ejaculatory  prayer,  which  is  one  of 
the  most  necessary  means,  and  proofs  of  grace. 
It  is  this  alone  which  can  render  the  appointed 
and  regular  devotions  of  the  church,  the  family, 
and  the  closet,  lively,  strong,  and  efficacious. 
Satan  will  lose  much  of  his  strong  hold,  if  you 
thus  laboriously  strive  to  obtain  a  prayerful 
frame  of  heart,  an  habitual  meditation  upon 
Christ  and  eternity,  a  frequency  of  conversing 
on  sacred  things,  and  above  all,  experimental 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  49 

contemplation  and  conversation.  The  world  is 
a  deadly  enemy  to  spiritual  attainment ;  you 
cannot  too  soon  see  the  high  importance  of  be- 
ing less  conformed  to  it,  in  all  its  vanities,  vices, 
follies,  and  unprofitable  waste  of  time,  gifts,  and 
talents.  The  Christian  will  appear  even  in  the 
simplicity  of  every  personal  ornament.  The 
dress,  the  countenance,  the  tone  of  voice,  the 
address,  will  lose  its  former  levity  ;  and  in  the 
minutest  trifles  of  common  life,  you  will  see 
the  hand  of  God  leading  to  important  events, 
and  his  linger  pointing  to  the  life  that  is  to  come. 
I  have  just  been  praying  most  earnestly  that  God 
may  carry  on  such  a  work  in  your  heart.  The 
grand  work  of  all  is  to  believe.  This  is  the 
root  and  fountain  of  all  graces.  That  believing 
look  at  the  Saviour  which  sees  an  interest  in 
him,  or  which  at  least  leads  to  full  conviction, 
both  of  his  sufficiency  and  efficiency  to  save 
our  own  souls,  is  the  master  work  of  God.  May 
you  be  led  fully  to  see  this,  and  in  God's  own 
time  to  rejoice  in  it.  Accustom  yourself  to 
talk  constantly  with  Nugent  and  Mary  on  the 
substantial  parts  of  Christianity,  and  appeal  to 
those  little  instances  of  experience  which  even 
a  child  may  comprehend. 

"  I  wrote  to  you  yesterday,  and  hope  you 
have  got  my  letter.    I  have  this  instant  received 
4 


50  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

your's  of  Tuesday.     I  hope  to  be  able  to  leave 

London  by  the  time  you  mention 

Our  final  removal,  if  we  can  get  a  curate,  must 
be  in  the  middle  of  June.  I  am  asked,  and 
have  consented  to  preach  the  charity  sermon  at 
Newport,  on  May  16th.  I  must  once  more 
assure  you  that  I  shall  not  stay  a  day  longer 
than  absolute  business  requires.  I  trust  our 
separation  has  been  for  the  best,  and  that  our 
temporal  and  spiritual  concerns,  our  views  and 
resolutions,  tempers  and  principles,  will  all 
thrive  and  prosper  for  the  better.  God  bless 
the  dear  children.  Kind  regards  to  your  fire- 
side from  your  truly  affectionate  husband, 

"  L.  Richmond." 

Mr.  Richmond's  first  sermon  at  the  Lock 
Chapel  was,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe,  the 
means,  under  the  divine  blessing,  of  effecting  a 
saving  change  in  the  heart  of  at  least  one  in- 
dividual. His  continuance  at  this  chapel,  how- 
ever, proved  to  be  of  short  duration.  He  had 
been  settled  in  London  but  a  few  weeks  when 
the  rectory  of  Turvey  in  Bedfordshire  became 
vacant  by  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Erasmus  Mid- 
dleton.  The  right  of  appointing  his  successor 
belonged  to  Mrs.  Fuller,  a  lady  of  eminent 
piety,  who,  being  desirous  of  conscientiously 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  51 

discharging  the  important  trust,  wrote  to  the 
late  Ambrose  Serle,  Esq.,  (author  of  the  "  Chris- 
tian Rembembrancer,"  "  Horse  Solitariae,"  and 
other  religious  works,)  stating  the  benefit  she 
had  received  from  his  writings,  and  offering  to 
present  the  vacant  rectory  to  any  clergyman, 
of  similar  sentiments  with  himself,  whom  he 
might  recommend.  Mr.  Serle,  who  at  that 
time  attended  the  Lock  Chapel,  immediately 
fixed  on  Mr,  Richmond,  who  was,  however, 
with  difficulty  persuaded  to  accept  the  appoint- 
ment. His  objection  arose  from  the  apprehen- 
sion that  he  should  enter  a  sphere  of  much  less 
usefulness  than  that  in  which  he  was  at  present 
engaged.  He  was  not  then  aware  that  the  po- 
pulation of  Turvey  amounted  to  eight  hundred 
souls.  Yielding  at  length  to  the  judgment  of 
his  friends,  he  was  inducted  to  the  rectory  of 
Turvey  on  the  30th  of  July,  1805,  and  in  the 
month  of  October  following  he  removed  thither 
with  his  family. 

The  village  of  Turvey,  the  scene  of  Mr. 
Richmond's  future  labours,  is  situated  between 
the  towns  of  Bedford  and  Olney,  being  about 
eight  miles  distant  from  the  former,  and  four 
from  the  latter.  For  many  years  the  religious 
improvement  of  the  inhabitants  had  been  greatly 
neglected.     The  duties  of  the   parish  church 


52  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

were  very  irregularly  performed,  and  there  was 
never  more  than  one  service  on  the  sabbath-day. 
The  natural  consequence  of  this  state  of  things 
was  a  disrespect  for  the  ordinances  of  religion, 
and  a  general  prevalence  of  ignorance  and  im- 
morality among  the  people. 

During  the  incumbency  of  Mr.  Middleton,  a 
clergyman  distinguished  for  his  learning  and 
piety,  matters  had  somewhat  improved.  The 
number  of  public  services  was  increased,  and 
the  work  of  reformation  was  gradually  though 
slowly  advancing,  Avhen  this  faithful  minister 
was  prematurely  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  his  ex- 
ertions, having  retained  his  office  only  for  the 
short  period  of  one  year. 

Mr.  Richmond  succeeded  Mr.  Middleton, 
and  entered  on  his  new  appointment  with  a 
reputation  for  talents  and  piety  v/hich  excited 
a  great  interest  in  his  neighbourhood,  and  an 
expectation  of  extensive  usefulness  among  his 
parishioners.  The  text  of  his  first  sermon  was 
1  Cor.  ii,  2,  "  For  I  determined  not  to  know  any- 
thing among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ  and  him 
crucified.''^  From  these  words  he  uniformly 
preached  on  every  returning  anniversary  of  his 
settlement  till  the  last  year  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Richmond  held  two  regular  full  services 
on  the  sabbath,  besides  an  evening  lecture  de- 


LIFE   OF   LEOII    RICHMOND.  53 

signed  more  especially  for  the  young.  On 
Tuesday  evening  he  attended  to  what  he  called 
his  cottage  lecture,  from  its  being  held  succes- 
sively  in  the  cottages  of  the  poor  whom  he 
assembled  for  the  pm-pose  of  more  familiar  and 
direct  instruction  than  could  with  propriety  be 
delivered  in  the  public  services  of  the  church. 
On  Friday  evening  he  delivered  a  lecture  in 
the  church,  the  prayers  for  the  evening  service 
being  previously  read ;  and  once  a  month  he 
met  the  communicants,  on  the  Saturday  pre- 
ceding the  sacrament.  He  had  also  a  weekly 
service  at  the  work-house.  But  his  labours 
were  not  confined  to  his  public  services.  He 
regularly  visited  the  dwellings  of  his  parishion- 
ers, scattering  the  precious  seed,  making  himself 
acquainted  with  their  spiritual  state,  and  gather- 
ing from  their  answers  useful  hints  and  reflec- 
tions for  the  service  of  the  succeeding  sabbath. 
A  Sunday  school  had  been  established  at 
Turvey  for  many  years,  through  the  liberality 
of  a  gentleman  who  had  bequeathed  for  that 
purpose  the  sum  of  $1425,  the  interest  of  which 
was  annually  devoted  to  its  support.  The 
school,  though-  well  attended  before,  had  its 
numbers  considerably  increased,  and  its  regu- 
lations greatly  improved,  by  the  new  rector. 
He  placed  a  man  of  real  piety  at  its  head,  justly 


54  LIFE   OF   LEGH   RICHMOND. 

considering  that  on  the  principles  and  character 
of  the  superintendent  the  efficiency  and  useful- 
ness of  the  institution  would  materially  depend. 
He  was  accustomed  to  visit  the  school  previous 
to  divine  service  ;  and  it  was  chiefly  for  the  be- 
nefit of  the  scholars  that  he  held  a  third  service 
in  the  church  on  Sunday  evenings.  Here  the 
first-fruits  of  his  ministry  in  this  place  appeared. 
The  conversion  of  two  young  persons,  who 
afterward  died  in  the  faith,  followed  his  intro- 
ductory address  to  the  children.  Indeed  he 
was  peculiarly  successful  on  these  occasions, 
and  no  part  of  his  labours  was  attended  with 
more  striking  eff*ects.  It  is  remarkable  that 
both  at  Turvey  and  at  Brading  the  first  memo- 
rials of  his  usefulness  occurred  in  the  conver- 
sion of  children. 

Mr.  Richmond's  exertions  on  the  week-day, 
as  might  have  been  expected,  contributed  in  no 
small  degree  to  give  efi'ect  to  his  ministry,  and 
attach  the  people  to  it.  The  church  was  nu- 
merously attended  ;  the  sabbath  became  a  hal- 
lowed day,  and  its  approach  was  anticipated 
with  lively  expectation.  The  gospel  v/as  faith- 
fully preached,  and  listened  to  with  deep  and 
solemn  interest.  Instances  of  sound  and  solid 
conversion  were  not  unfrequent ;  and  even  those 
who  received  little  spiritual  benefit  learned  to 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  53 

treat  religion  with  respect,  and  began  to  exhibit 
a  decency  of  outward  deportment. 

Mr.  Richmond  did  not,  like  too  many  clergy- 
men of  the  Established  Church,  admit  all  per- 
sons indiscriminately  to  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  supper.  Persons  proposing  themselves 
to  the  communion  were  examined  as  to  their 
religious  principles  and  character ;  and  there 
were  probably  few  parish  churches  whose  com- 
municants exhibited  more  satisfactory  evidences 
of  piety.  The  attendants  at  the  sacrament  were, 
chiefly,  the  fruits  of  his  own  ministry,  and 
the  dearest  objects  of  his  heart :  he  was  re- 
garded by  them  as  a  father  ;  they  consulted  him 
on  all  occasions,  and  received  his  advice  and 
sympathy  in  all  their  affairs,  both  temporal  and 
spiritual.  At  once  respected  and  beloved  by 
"  the  children  which  God  had  given  him,"  he, 
in  return,  watched  over  them  with  anxiety, 
prayed  for  them  with  earnestness,  instructed 
them  with  diligence,  and  regarded  them  with 
the  affection  of  an  apostle. 

On  each  successive  return  of  his  birth-day 
he  was  accustomed  to  preach  a  sermon  to  his 
congregation,  and  endeavour  to  improve  the 
lapse  of  time  by  acts  of  prayer  and  praise.  The 
summons  was  cheerfully  obeyed,  and  the  parish 
bells  rung  merrily.     Great  numbers  attended 


56  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

church  to  worship  God,  and  congratulate  their 
pastor  on  the  occasion.  On  the  following  day 
he  invited  a  party  of  his  parishioners  to  dine  at 
the  rectory.  This  birth-day  entertainment  was 
looked  forward  to  by  them  with  great  interest, 
and  was  made  an  occasion  of  courteous  hospi- 
tality. The  company  were  of  a  mixed  charac- 
ter, and  were  received  by  Mr.  Richmond  with 
a  kindness  and  attention  to  their  innocent  re- 
creation, which  never  failed  to  gratify  his  guests. 
The  evening  was  spent  in  music,  and  his  family 
formed  a  little  band  of  performers  in  full  concert. 
In  the  course  of  the  day  he  usually  addressed 
a  letter  to  his  mother,  affectionately  reminding 
her  and  himself  of  their  endearing  relation. 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  one  of  these 
annual  epistles : — 

"  My  Dearest  Mother, — The  return  of  this 
day  reminds  me  of  life,  death,  and  eternity  ;  it 
reminds  me  of  times  past,  and  anticipates  times 
to  come  ;  it  reminds  me  of  my  dear  mother  also, 
and  of  the  many  affectionate  sensations  which 
the  successive  anniversaries  of  my  birth  have 
from  year  to  year  given  her,  arising  from  the 
mingled  hope  of  good,  and  fear  of  evil.  .  .  . 
Accept  my  kind,  tender,  and  dutiful  assurances 
of  filial  love  and  veneration,  and  ten  thousand 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  57 

thanks  for  all  your  cares  and  prayers  on  my 
account,  for  six-and-thirty  years,  nor  ever  let 
it  be  thought  that  I  am  insensible  to  what  I  owe 
you.  Happy  shall  I  feel,  if  enabled  and  per- 
mitted to  contribute  to  the  ease  and  consolation 
of  your  declining  years,  and  to  mitigate  the  in- 
firmities of  old  age,  by  the  duly  applied  exer- 
tions of  younger  years  !  It  seems  but  a  little 
while  since  I  was.  a  boy  myself,  returning  home 
from  season  to  season,  to  enjoy  the  blessing 
and  comfort  of  parental  and  sisterly  society  and 
affection  at  your  home  ;  and  now  I  see  myself 
surrounded  by  my  boys  and  girls  at  my  own 
home,  growing  apace,  and  preparing  to  occupy 
the  station  in  the  world  which  we  now  fill  up. 
It  is  an  old  and  worn-out  remark,  '  How  time 
flies  !'  Yet  we  cannot  help  all  making  it  in  our 
turn  ;  we  feel  its  force,  and  out  of  the  abundance 
of  the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh.  One  cannot 
help  sometimes  ejaculating  with  good  old  Da- 
vid, '  O  spare  me  a  little  that  I  may  recover 
my  strength  before  I  go  hence  and  be  no  more 
seen  !'  What  a  scene  does  eternity  present ! — 
the  years  of  life  past — early  connections  dis- 
solved— the  secrets  of  all  hearts  laid  open — 
souls  saved  or  lost — Christ  a  frowning  judge 
or  a  welcome  Saviour — all  mistakes  and  errors 
in  religion  at  an  end — every  false  foundation 


58  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

undermined — a  world  in  flames  and  consumed, 
as  though  it  had  never  been — time  itself  no 
more — eternal  ages  of  ages  rolling  on  in  cease- 
less bliss  or  wo !  Who  is  sufficient  even  to 
speak  on  these  things  ? 

"  Pray  for  me,  that  since  the  Lord  has  spared 
me  another  year  I  may  not  prove  such  a  barren 
fig-tree  as  heretofore.  I  could  look  back  on  all 
that  is  past,  and  view  myself- as  no  better  than 
a  cumberer  of  the  ground.  But  the  gracious 
Vine-dresser  intercedes,  and  his  prayer  is  full 
of  love  and  mercy  :  may  the  owner  of  the  vine- 
yard hear,  and  answer  it.  I  have  been  very 
unwell,  but  am  now  much  better :  the  poor  fig- 
tree  is  not  yet  cut  down.  May  it  bear  fruit  to 
the  glory  of  the  Father.  Accept  our  love,  and 
give  it  to  those  around  you  ;  and  believe  me 
your  affectionate  son, 

"  Legh  Richmond." 

Shortly  after  his  settlement  at  Turvey  Mr. 
Richmond  issued  the  prospectus  of  an  extended 
and  important  work,  entitled  "  The  Fathers  of 
the  English  Church,"  which  was  published  in 
numbers,  and  ultimately  completed  in  eight 
volumes.  It  contained  selections  from  the 
writings  of  Tindal,  Ridley,  Latimer,  Cranmer, 
Hooper,   Bradford,  Jewel,   and  others    of  the 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND,  59 

English  reformers,  and  was  made  extensively- 
useful  in  disseminating  the  doctrines  of  the 
Reformation  among  the  ministers  of  the  Esta- 
blished Church.  It  proved,  however,  the  occa- 
sion of  some  pecuniary  embarrassment  to  the 
author. 

A  few  months  after  his  removal  to  Turvey 
Mr.  Richmond  received  intelligence  of  the 
death  of  his  father,  who  died  at  Stockport  in 
1806.  He  immediately  hastened  thither  for 
the  purpose  of  consoling  his  widowed  mother, 
and  to  pay  the  final  tribute  of  respect  to  his 
departed  parent.  The  following  letter,  written 
from  thence  to  his  wife,  gives  some  information 
relative  to  the  last  moments  of  his  father,  and 
exhibits  the  pious  resignation  of  his  bereaved 
and  afflicted  mother. 

"  Dearest  Mary, — I  sent  yon  a  few  hastily 
penned  lines  last  night.  As  soon  as  I  had 
finished  them,  I  went  to  our  medical  friend, 
from  whom  I  had  a  regular  account  of  the  me- 
lancholy event  which  has  brought  me  here. 
I  had  previously  written  a  note  that  I  might  be 
shown  into  a  room  with  my  dear  mother  alone. 
I  then  went  with  Mary,  and  found  my  mother 
in  a  most  interesting  struggle  between  divine 
consolation    and   natural    affection.      My   first 


60  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND, 

words,  after  an  interval  of  silence,  were,  '  Are 
you  supported,  my  dear  mother  V  '  Beyond 
all  hope  and  expectation,'  was  the  reply.  '  Do 
you  feel  the  consolations  of  religion  V  'I  am 
resigned  to  the  stroke,  though  it  rends  my  heart 
in  two.  I  may  weep  ;  but  I  dare  not,  will  not 
complain.  I  never  deserved  hi?n ;  he  was  lent 
to  me,  and  now  God  has  taken  him  again. 
You  are  come  to  support  a  poor  widowed  mo- 
ther's heart ;  and  I  know  you  will  be,  what 
your  dear  sister  Fanny  has  already  been,  the 
prop  and  strength  of  my  age  and  affliction.'  1 
was  astonished  and  melted  at  her  fortitude  and 
resignation.  I  find  that  my  dear  father's  mind, 
for  three  weeks  past,  was  calm  and  tranquil,  ex- 
pressive of  much  faith,  patience,  and  hope. 
My  mother  was  reading  that  exquisite  com- 
mentary of  Bishop  Home  on  the  23d  Psalm. 
He  observed,  at  the  close  of  the  fourth  verse, 
'  That  is  heavenly,  and  it  is  my  comfort.'  He 
then  suddenly  said,  '  My  head  is  giddy,'  stag- 
gered to  the  sofa,  and  fell  into  my  mother's 
arms  ;  his  eyes  fixed,  and  a  deadly  paleness  on 
his  face.  She  contrived  to  ring  the  bell,  and 
instantly  returned  to  him  ;  he  gasped  for  breath, 
and  groaned  twice.  The  servant  came  in,  and 
lifted  up  his  legs  ;  he  gave  one  more  slight 
struggle,  and  breathed  out  his  soul  in  my  mo- 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  61 

ther's  arms.  She  sat  with  him  two  hours  in 
silent  composure  ;  unable  to  weep,  but  calm 
in  grief.  That  night  she  could  not  sleep,  but 
gained  relief  by  much  weeping.  Fanny  arrived 
on  Sunday  evening,  and  slept  with  our  dear 
mother.  After  I  had  sat  for  half  an  hour  yes- 
terday evening,  the  rest  came  in,  one  by  one, 
and  we  fell  into  a  solemn  but  tranquil  conver- 
sation. My  very  heart  was  ready  to  burst ;  but 
I  concealed  my  feelings  as  much  as  possible. 
After  a  while  I  went  to  see  the  body  of  my 
father.  As  we  proceeded  up  stairs,  I  found  my 
legs  tremble,  and  when  I  came  to  the  room 
door,  I  staggered  ;  but  instantly  offering  up  a 
prayer  for  strength,  felt  relieved,  and  advanced. 
"  Instead  of  seeing  any  thing  to  inspire  ter- 
ror, 1  beheld  his  well-known  and  honoured 
countenance  so  calm,  heavenly,  mild,  and  unal- 
tered, that  it  seemed  only  like  a  sweet  sleep. 
I  never  felt  more  composed  ;  and  we  sat  three 
quarters  of  an  hour,  chiefly  in  silent  contempla- 
tion. I  could  only  now  and  then  interrupt  it 
by,  '  O  how  sweet  a  countenance  !  there  is  no- 
thing terrible  in  this  !  It  is  the  emblem  of  peace 
and  composure.  O  my  dear  father !  I  could 
have  wished  to  have  closed  your  eyes ;  but 
God's  will  be  done  !'  With  difficulty  I  left  the 
room.     I  went  down  to  supper.     Afterward  I 


62  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

requested  all  the  house  to  assemble,  and  read 
1  Cor.  XV ;  and  then  offered  up  a  solemn  and 
appropriate  prayer.  Great  feeling  pervaded  us 
all. 

"  This  morning,  at  nine  o'clock,  commenced 
the  business  of  the  funeral.  My  heart  again 
failed  me.  I  was  excessively  tried  in  the  pro- 
cession through  the  church-yard,  and  in  the 
church.  I  was,  however,  inwardly  strength- 
ened, and  shed  the  last  tear  over  his  remains. 

"  On  returning  to  the  house,  for  a  moment  I 
fainted,  but  recovered.  Indeed,  my  dear  love,  it 
has  been  a  very  trying  scene  to  me,  A  thousand 
tender  recollections  of  past  days  have  succes- 
sively crowded  upon  my  mind  ;  and  every  ob- 
ject here  reminds  me  so  much  of  a  beloved  and 
revered  parent,  that  I  cannot  but  feel  deeply. 

"  He  seems  to  have  had  a  presentiment  of 
his  approaching  end,  but  rather  concealed  it 
from  others.  I  never  felt  myself  of  such  power 
to  console  as  at  this  moment.  My  dear  mother 
says,  '  You  are  my  oak,  and  I  am  a  poor  ivy, 
clinging  around  you  ;  now  you  are  my  chil6 
indeed.' " 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  63 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE    PROMINENT    SUBJECTS   AND    CHARACTERIS- 
TICS OF  MR.  Richmond's  preaching. 

The  present  chapter  will  be  devoted  chiefly 
to  a  brief  notice  of  the  subjects  and  character 
of  Mr.  Richmond's  preaching,  drawn  from  the 
account  furnished  in  Mr.  Grimshaw's  Memoir. 

Mr.  Richmond  was  often  heard  to  declare 
that  two  great  subjects  pervaded  the  Bible — sin 
and  salvation  from  sin, — and  that  these  ought  to 
form  the  basis  of  the  Christian  ministry.  In 
his  own  practice  he  carried  out  the  excellent 
rule  which  he  gave  to  a  brother  clergyman  : — 
"  Never  preach  a  single  sermon,  from  which  an 
unenlightened  hearer  might  not  learn  the  plan 
of  salvation,  even  though  he  never  afterward 
heard  another  discourse." 

In  his  addresses  from  the  pulpit  he  never 
failed  to  point  out,  distinctly  and  forcibly,  man's 
ruin  by  the  fall ;  his  condemnation  under  the 
law,  and  his  moral  inability  to  deliver  himself, 
by  any  power  or  strength  of  his  own ;  the  di- 
vinity and  incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God  ;  free 
and  full  justification,  through  faith  in  the  aton- 
ino"  blood  and  righteousness  of  the  Redeemer  ; 


64  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

the  nature  of  justifying  faith,  its  fruits  and  evi- 
dences ;  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  the 
regeneration  and  sanctification  of  believers ;  and 
the  necessity  of  a  renewed  heart,  and  of  holi- 
ness in  the  life,  not  as  the  title  to  heaven,  but 
as  a  meetness  for  its  enjoyment.  These  are 
fundamental  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  in  which 
all  true  Christians  without  distinction  of  sect  or 
party  cordially  unite. 

As  a  preacher  he  was  Scriptural — experi- 
mental— practical  —  comprehensive —  powerful 
and  impressive  in  his  appeals  to  the  heart  and 
conscience — full  of  pathos  and  interest. 

1 .  He  was  Scriptural.  A  rich  vein  of  divine 
truth  was  diffused  through  his  sermons.  The 
law  and  the  gospel  were  clearly  and  distinctly 
exhibited  in  all  their  characteristic  features, 
and  enforced  to  their  respective  ends.  He  as- 
serted no  doctrine  which  he  did  not  establish 
by  an  appeal  to  the  authority  of  the  Scriptures, 
with  the  contents  of  which  he  was  familiarly 
acquainted.  Without  a  diligent  application  to 
the  study  of  the  sacred  oracles,  accompanied 
with  prayer  and  meditation,  it  is  impossible  for 
any  man  to  become  a  sound  and  enlightened 
divine.  The  connection  of  solid  piety  with  an 
intimate  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures  is  indis- 
soluble.    This  forms,  indeed,  the  manual  of 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  65 

every  Christian,  but  belongs  in  a  more  especial 
degree  to  the  minister  of  the  sanctuary.  It  is 
the  armory  whence  he  must  draw  all  his  wea- 
pons ;  it  is  the  treasury  whence  he  is  to  be 
supplied  with  every  motive  and  every  argument 
which,  through  the  grace  and  power  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  can  fix  conviction  on  the  mind, 
rouse  the  torpid  conscience,  excite  the  affec- 
tions of  the  heart,  and  elevate  the  soul  to  God  ; 
it  is  the  sceptre  of  righteousness,  by  which  he 
rules  and  guides  the  flock ;  the  depository  of 
every  promise  that  can  cheer  their  passage 
through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  ;  and 
by  it  they  are  taught  the  "new  song,"  which  will 
animate  their  praises  in  the  land  of  their  inhe- 
ritance. "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain, 
to  receive  power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and 
strength,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  blessing, 
for  ever  and  ever.     Amen." 

2.  He  was  experimental.  Divine  truth,  from 
his  lips,  was  not  a  cold  speculative  statement ; 
but  was  so  interwoven  with  all  the*  inward  ex- 
periences of  the  human  heart,  as  peculiarly  to 
promote  the  edification  of  his  hearers.  He 
could  appropriate  the  language  of  the  apostle, 
and  say,  "  That  which  we  have  heard,  which 
we  have  seen  with  our  eyes,  which  we  have 
looked  upon,  and  our  hands  have  handled, 
5 


66  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

of  the  word  of  life,  declare  we  unto  you."  From 
the  heart  he  preached  to  the  heart,  and  seemed 
to  enter  into  all  its  secret  recesses.  He  de- 
tected the  illusions  by  which  it  is  beguiled ; 
he  traced  human  action  to  its  hidden  springs  ; 
he  accompanied  the  soul  in  the  alternations  of 
doubt  and  hope,  of  fear  and  joy,  in  its  conflicts 
with  despair  and  unbelief;  till,  led  to  the  foot 
of  the  cross,  it  was  able  to  repose  on  the  pro- 
mises of  God,  and  realize  the  sweet  enjoyment 
of  pardon  and  peace. 

3,  He  was  practical.  Some  preachers  are  too 
exclusively  doctrinal.  Others  are  no  less  exclu- 
sively practical.  Mr.  Richmond  avoided  both 
extremes.  He  preached  doctrine  practically, 
and  practice  doctrinally.  He  connected  precept 
with  promise,  and  privilege  with  duty.  As  a 
spiritual  workman,  he  considered  doctrine  to  be' 
the  foundation,  and  practice  the  superstructure 
to  be  erected  upon  it ;  adopting  the  sentiment 
of  one  of  his  favourite  reformers,  "  Truly  it  is 
said,  '  Without  holiness  no  man  shall  see  the 
Lord  ;'  but  this  I  know,  without  the  Lord,  no 
man  shall  see  holiness."  The  operation  of 
the  Spirit,  and  its  gracious  fruits ;  genuine 
faith,  and  its  necessary  consequences  ;  holiness, 
and  the  means  of  attaining  it ;  Christ  the 
Saviour,  and  Christ  the  example ;   the  insuffi- 


LIFE  OF-LEGH  RICHMOND.  67 

ciency  of  works  as  a  procuring  cause  of  salva- 
tion, and  their  indispensable  necessity  not  only 
as  evidences,  but  as  glorifying  God  ;  these 
great  and  important  truths  were  enforced  with 
the  fidelity  of  a  Christian  pastor,  and  with  the 
wisdom  of  a  scribe  well  instructed  in  the  king- 
dom of  heaven. 

4.  He  ivas  comprehensive.  Christianity,  in  his 
mode  of  exhibiting  it,  was  a  grand  and  compre- 
hensive whole,  while  the  symmetryof  the  several 
parts  was  faithfully  preserved.  He  did  not  give 
to  one  part  of  divine  truth  any  undue  preponde- 
rance over  another.  Each  truth  seemed  to  be 
in  its  right  place,  and  in  its  just  measure  and 
proportion.  All  the  doctrines,  and  all  the  pre- 
cepts— all  the  promises,  and  all  the  characters 
to  whom  they  are  made — all  the  privileges,  and 
all  the  duties,  were,  in  turn,  the  theme  of  his 
discourses.  It  is  this  beautiful  order,  and  har- 
monious combination  of  all  its  various  relations, 
that  constitutes  one  of  the  characteristic  fea- 
tures of  a  revelation  from  above. 

5.  He  was  impressive  in  his  appeals  to  the 
heart  and  conscience.  Few  men  better  under- 
stood that  part  of  a  discourse  which  consists 
of  the  application.  Some  preachers  are  veiy 
deficient  in  this  respect ;  either  wholly  omitting 
to  apply  their  subject,  or  for  the  most  part  fail- 


68  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

ing  in  discrimination.  A  discourse,  to  be  pro- 
fitable, must  come  home  to  our  own  case. 

Mr.  Richmond,  in  appealing  to  his  hearers, 
was  faithful,  searching,  forcible,  and  impressive. 
"  He  reproved,  rebuked,  exhorted,  with  all  long- 
suffering  and  doctrine  ;"  but  his  exhortations 
were  accompanied  by  the  most  affecting  dis- 
plays of  the  mercy,  power,  and  grace  of  God 
in  the  gospel ;  and  while  his  own  experience 
of  the  truths  he  uttered  gave  an  authority  and 
efficacy  to  his  words,  God  put  his  seal  to  the 
testimony,  and  crowned  his  labours  with  suc- 
cess. 

In  presenting  this  delineation  of  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's mode  of  preaching,  something  would 
yet  be  wanting,  to  give  its  complete  character, 
if  it  were  not  stated  more  specifically,  that  the 
Saviour,  in  his  various  offices  of  prophet,  priest, 
and  king,  was  the  grand  theme  of  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's ministrations.  His  excellence,  like  that 
of  a  skilful  painter,  consisted  in  so  arranging 
all  the  subordinate  parts  of  his  picture,  as  to 
give  due  prominence  and  effect  to  the  principal 
figure.  Christ  Jesus  was  the  soul  of  all  his 
discourses  ;  and  every  precept,  every  promise 
derived  its  force  and  value  from  its  bearing  in 
relation  to  him. 

Mr.  Richmond's  natural  endowments  contri- 


LIFE   OF   LEGH   RICHMOND.  69 

buted  in  no  small  degree  to  the  success  of  his 
ministry.  He  was  an  eloquent  speaker ;  but 
his  eloquence  was  not  laboured  and  artificial ; 
it  was  the  simple  and  glowing  expression  of  a 
mind  deeply  impressed  with  the  importance  of 
his  subject,  full  of  affection,  and  anxious  to  im- 
part the  same  feelings  to  those  who  heard  him. 
He  did  not  follow  the  practice,  so  prevalent 
among  clergymen  of  the  Established  Church, 
of  reading  his  sermons.*  He  was  strictly  an 
extemporaneous  speaker.  He  made  himself 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  subject  on  which 
he  was  to  preach,  but  trusted  to  the  moment 
of  delivery  for  the  words  in  which  his  ideas 
should    be    expressed.     His    first    attempt    to 

*  It  is  a  fact  no  less  extraordinary  than  true,  that  Eng- 
land is  the  only  country  in  Europe  in  which  the  practice 
of  reading  sermons  from  the  pulpit  prevails  to  any  extent. 
Mr.  Grimshaw  states,  from  personal  observation,  that  it 
is  not  the  custom  in  "  France,  the  Netherlands,  Switzer- 
land, or  Germany,"  either  among  Popish  or  Protestant 
churches.  Even  in  England  it  is  almost  entirely  confined 
to  clergymen  of  the  Established  Church  ;  and  it  was  un- 
known in  the  best  days  of  that  church — in  those  of  the 
Reformation,  and  down  to  the  time  of  Charles  I.  It 
seems  to  have  had  its  origin  about 'the  commencement  of 
that  general  declension  of  the  Church,  both  in  zeal  and 
doctrine,  which  characterized  the  17th  and  18th  centuries  ; 
of  which  declension  this  practice  may  doubtless  be  regard- 
ed as  having  been  both  a  cause  and  a  consequence. 


70  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

preach  extempore  was  a  complete  failure  ;  he 
was  so  ashamed  of  it  that  he  determined  not  to 
repeat  the  attempt,  and  it  was  only  in  conse- 
quence of  the  urgent  solicitation  of  a  brother 
clergyman  that  he  was  induced  to  make  a  se- 
cond trial,  when  he  succeeded  beyond  his  ex- 
pectations, and  never  afterward  found  any  diffi- 
culty. The  following  anecdote  will  show  the 
eminence  to  which  he  afterward  attained  as  an 
extemporaneous  speaker  : — The  late  Mr.  Whit- 
bread  once  went  to  hear  him  preach  at  Bed- 
ford, accompanied  by  a  gentleman  who  had  ex- 
pressed a  wish  to  be  present.  The  church  was 
remarkably  crowded,  the  preacher  animated,  and 
the  interest  of  the  congregation  strongly  excited. 
After  the  service  had  proceeded  for  some  time, 
the  gentleman  observed,  "  He  has  now  preached 
with  incredible  fluency,  both  of  matter  and  lan- 
guage, for  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  and  he 
does  not  seem  even  yet  to  be  exhausted,  or  to 
be  drawing  to  a  close."  "  Exhausted  !"  replied 
Mr.  Whitbread,  "  he  can  hold  on  in  the  same 
way,  if  necessary,  for  two  or  three  hours  longer." 
In  his  preaching  he  was  very  plain  and  fa- 
miliar, so  as  to  be  understood  by  the  most  un- 
"learned  in  his  congregations  ;  nor  was  he  satis- 
fied till  he  had  explained  an  idea  in  every 
possible  variety  and  point  of  view.     On  this 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  71 

account  he  sometimes  seemed,  to  persons  unac- 
quainted with  his  design,  to  employ  a  needless 
number  of  words.  It  was  once  pleasantly  said 
by  one  who  heard  him,  "  An  excellent  sermon, 
but  with  too  many  various  readings." 

He  used  to  refer  his  friends,  who  conversed 
with  him  on  the  subject  of  preaching,  to  the 
advice  of  his  college  tutor :  "  Don't  use  terms 
of  science.  The  people  have  no  abstract  ideas ; 
they  cannot  understand  comparisons  and  allu- 
sions remote  from  all  their  habits.  Take  words 
of  Saxon  derivation,  and  not  such  as  are  de- 
rived from  Latin  and  Greek.  Talk  of  riches, 
not  affluence ;  of  trust,  not  confidence.  Pre- 
sent the  same  idea  in  a  varied  form,  and  take 
care  that  you  understand  the  subject  yourself. 
If  you  be  intelligent,  you  will  be  intelligible." 

He  was  also  singularly  felicitous  in  impart- 
ing interest  to  what,  in  familiar  phraseology,  is 
called  a  dry  subject.  He  was  once  known  to 
preach  an  hour  and  three  quarters*  on  the  inci- 

*  This  sermon  was  one  of  a  course  of  lectures  on  the 
evidences  of  Christianity,  preached  at  Olney  by  the  neigh- 
bouring clergy.  Mr.  Richmond  took  his  plan  from  the 
"  Horse  Pauliaae,"  and  applied  Dr.  Paley's  principle  to 
every  book  of  Holy  Scripture,  with  great  ingenuity  and 
success.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  nothing  remains 
of  the  sermon  except  a  few  short  heads  of  discourse,  used 
by  Mr.  Richmond  at  the  time  of  preaching. 


72  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND, 

dental  evidences  of  Christianity.  On  this  oc- 
casion it  was  said  by  a  sensible  man  who  heard 
him,  "  This  is  indeed  a  magnificent  sermon  ! 
I  always  thought  Mr.  Richmond  a  good  man, 
but  I  now  know  him  to  be  a  gTeat  man." 

He  possessed  a  fine  taste,  and  an  almost  en- 
thusiastic admiration  of  the  beauties  of  nature. 
From  these  he  often  selected  illustrations,  and 
embellished  his  subject  with  allusions  to  them. 
He  used  to  say,  "  There  are  three  books  to  be 
studied — the  book  of  creation,  the  book  of  pro- 
vidence, and  the  book  of  grace.  They  confirm 
and  illustrate  each  other." 

The  eflfect  of  his  preaching  was  greatly 
heightened  by  the  affectionate  manner  of  his 
address.  It  has  been  observed  that  some  mi- 
nisters preach  as  if  they  were  "  scolding  their 
hearers."  It  was  Mr.  Richmond's  uniform  aim 
to  win  by  affection.  No  preacher  more  fully  ve- 
rified the  remark,  "  speaking  the  tmth  in  love." 

From  the  preceding  account  of  the  matter 
and  manner  of  Mr.  Richmond's  preaching,  the 
reader  will  not  be  surprised  to  hear  that  he 
never  failed  to  attract  a  crowded  congregation, 
and  seldom  preached  without  the  most  decided 
proofs  of  a  divine  power  accompanying  his 
ministrations. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  73 


CHAPTER  VI. 

MR.  Richmond's  connection  with  various 

RELIGIOUS  SOCIETIES. 

The  labours  of  Mr.  Richmond  were  not  con- 
fined to  the  regular  duties  of  his  parish.  He 
faithfully  exerted  his  talents  for  the  spiritual 
benefit  of  the  world  at  large,  and  his  name  is 
intimately  connected  with  some  of  the  principal 
religious  institutions  of  the  day,  especially  the 
"  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,"  the 
"  Church  Missionary  Society,"  the  "  Religious 
Tract  Society,"  and  the  "  Society  for  promoting 
Christianity  among  the  Jews."  In  behalf  of 
these  institutions  he  made  many  an  eloquent 
appeal  in  various  parts  of  the  kingdom,  and  by 
his  zealous  labours  contributed  much  toward 
exciting  that  spirit  of  benevolent  enterprise 
which  is  the  glory  of  the  Christian  church  of 
the  present  age. 

His  exertions  in  behalf  of  these  benevolent 
institutions  appear  to  have  commenced  with 
his  preaching  the  annual  sermon  of  the  Church 
Missionary  Society,  in  London,  on  Tuesday, 
May  the  23d,  1809. 

He   took  for  his  text  on  this  occasion  John 


74  LIFE  OF   LEGH  RICHMOND. 

xxi,  16,  "  i7e  saith  unto  him  again  the  second 
time,  Simon,  son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  me  ?  He 
saith  unto  him.  Yea,  Lord,  thou  knowest  that  I 
love  thee.  He  saith  unto  him,  Feed  my  sheep^ 
After  a  brief  introduction,  in  which  he  de- 
duced from  the  text  the  proposition  that  love 
to  Christ  is  the  only  adequate  and  Scrip- 
tural stimulus  to  missionary  exertion,  the 
preacher  proceeded  to  inquire,  1 .  Who  are  the 
sheep  of  Christ  ?  2.  Why  ought  they  to  be  fed  ? 
3.  When  ?  4.  By  whom  ?  5.  With  what  food 
must  they  be  fed,  nourished,  and  supported  1 

In  answering  the  fourth  inquiry,  ^^Who  shall 
be  the  missionaries  ?"  he  observed,  "  The  shep- 
herds whom  you  set  apart  to  this  honourable 
labour  of  feeding  and  nourishing  souls  for 
Christ  must  be  men  who  love  Christ  for  the 
salvation  which  he  hath  wrought  in  their  own 
souls  ;  men  who  '  feel  in  themselves  the  work- 
ing of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  mortifying  the  works 
of  the  flesh,  and  their  earthly  members,  and 
drawing  up  their  mind  to  high  and  heavenly 
things.'  They  must  be  men,  not  of  warmth 
and  zeal  alone,  but  of  solidity,  patience,  and 
perseverance  ;  men  who,  like  their  Lord,  can 
endure  the  contradiction  of  sinners.  For  the 
most  part,  it  is  not  so  often  men  of  extensive 
learning,  of  genius,  and  superior  literary  talents, 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  75 

who  are  wanted,  as  men  of  simplicity  and  sin- 
cerity ;  men  of  prayer  and  meditation ;  men 
who  so  love  Christ  as  to  be  willing  to  spend 
and  be  spent  for  his  sake  ;  men  of  subdued 
passions  and  mortified  minds,  who  patiently 
wait  for  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

In  his  next  important  consideration,  "  where- 
with must  they  he  fed,^''  the  following  remarks 
claim  the  attention  of  all  who  are  engaged  in 
the  cause  of  missions  : — 

"  Preach  Christ  as  a  free,  full,  perfect,  and 
all-sufficient  Saviour  to  the  greatest  of  sinners. 
The  sheep  of  Christ,  whether  at  home  or 
abroad,  will  hear  and  know  their  own  good 
Shepherd's  voice,  and  none  other.  Proclaim, 
as  from  the  house-top,  '  that  God  commendeth 
his  love  toward  us,  in  that,  while  we  were  yet 
sinners,  Christ  died  for  us  ;'  and  thus  accom- 
plished that  wonder  of  men  and  angels,  '  that 
God  might  be  just,  and  the  justifier  of  the  sinner 
which  believeth  in  Jesus.' 

"  Preach  to  them  the  blood  of  Christ ;  its 
atoning  and  cleansing  power.  Send  over  your 
missionary  shepherds,  to  feed  the  flock  of  Christ 
among  the  heathen  with  the  wholesome  bread 
and  the  pure  water  of  life.  We  must  not  trifle 
in  this  matter.  It  is  the  cause  of  God  and 
truth.     Mingle  therefore  nothing  with  their  food ; 


76  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

disguise  it  not  with  any  self-accommodating 
explanations.  It  is  not  the  equivocal  language 
of  a  mere  fashionable  profession  of  the  gospel 
that  will  convey  the  word  and  substance  of  sal- 
vation to  the  soul  of  either  a  nominal  Christian, 
or  a  real  heathen. 

"  Let  the  hemisphere  of  light,  which  is  to 
burst  upon  the  dark  mountains  where  now  the 
heathen  sheep  are  scattered,  be  unsullied  and 
without  a  cloud.  Be  ye  pastors  according  to 
God's  heart,  and  feed  them  with  knowledge  and 
understanding.  Christ  living,  Christ  obeying, 
Christ  dying,  Christ  risen,  Christ  ascended, 
and  Christ  interceding  for  sinners,  this  is  the 
true  bread  of  life.  Our  commission  to  feed  his 
sheep  runs  thus,  '  Go  ye  and  teach  all  nations, 
baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.'  Hence 
the  love  of  the  Father,  in  giving  sinners  to 
Christ ;  the  love  of  the  Son,  in  dying  for  their 
redemption  ;  and  the  love  of  the  Spirit,  in  sanc- 
tifying and  preparing  them  for  glory,  are  the 
grand  themes  for  Christian  meditation.  When 
these  invaluable  truths  are  enforced  in  a  prac- 
tical and  experimental  manner,  the  sheep  of 
Christ  are  truly  fed,  according  to  their  good 
Shepherd's  design  and  commandment ;  and  so 
shall  they  live  and  prosper. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  77 

In  illustration  of  the  foregoing  remarks,  he 
quotes  the  following  testimony  of  Johannes,  a 
converted  heathen,  who  also  became  a  blessed 
witness  of  the  truth  to  his  own  nation.  The 
cicumstance  is  recorded  in  the  history  of  the 
missions  of  the  United  Brethren  among  the  In- 
dian nations  of  North  America. 

"  '  Brethren,  I  have  been  a  heathen,  and  have 
grown  old  among  them  ;  therefore  I  know  very 
well  how  it  is  with  the  heathen,  and  how  they 
think.  A  preacher  once  came  to  us,  desiring 
to  instruct  us  ;  and  began  by  proving  to  us  that 
there  was  a  God.  On  which  we  said  to  him, 
'  Well,  and  dost  thou  think  we  are  ignorant  of 
that  ?  Now  go  back  again  to  the  place  from 
whence  thou  earnest.' 

"'Then  again  another  preacher  came,  and 
began  to  instruct  us,  saying,  '  You  must  not 
steal,  nor  drink  too  much,  nor  lie,  nor  lead 
wicked  lives.'  We  answered  him,  '  Fool  that 
thou  art,  dost  thou  think  that  we  do  not  know 
that  ?  Go  and  learn  it  first  thyself,  and  teach 
the  people  v/hom  thou  belongest  to,  not  to  do 
those  things.  For  who  are  greater  drunkards, 
or  thieves,  or  liars,  than  thine  own  people  V 
Thus  we  sent  him  away  also. 

"  '  Some  time  after  this,  Christian  Henry,  one 
of  the  Brethren,  came  to  me  into  my  hut,  and 


78  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

sat  down  by  me.  The  contents  of  his  dis- 
course to  me  were  nearly  these  :  '  I  come  to 
thee  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  of  heaven  and 
earth.  He  sends  me  to  acquaint  thee  that  he 
would  gladly  save  thee,  and  make  thee  happy, 
and  deliver  thee  from  the  miserable  state  in 
which  thou  liest  at  present.  To  this  end  he 
became  a  man,  gave  his  life  a  ransom  for  man, 
and  shed  his  blood  for  man.  All  that  believe 
in  the  name  of  this  Jesus  obtain  the  forgiveness 
of  sin.  To  all  them  that  receive  him  by  faith, 
he  giveth  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God. 
The  Holy  Spirit  dwelleth  in  their  hearts  ;  and 
they  are  made  free,  through  the  blood  of  Christ, 
from  the  slavery  and  dominion  of  sin.  And 
though  thou  art  the  chief  of  sinners,  yet  if  thou 
prayest  to  the  Father  in  his  name,  and  believest 
in  him  as  a  sacrifice  for  thy  sins,  thou  shalt  be 
heard  and  saved,  and  he  will  give  thee  a  crown 
of  life,  and  thou  shalt  live  with  him  in  heaven 
for  ever.' 

"  '  When  he  had  finished  his  discourse,  he  lay 
down  upon  a  board  in  my  hut,  fatigued  by  his 
journey,  and  fell  into  a  sound  sleep.  I  thought 
within  myself,  '  What  manner  of  man  is  this  ? 
There  he  lies,  and  sleeps  so  sweetly ;  I  might 
kill  him,  and  throw  him  into  the  forest,  and 
who  would  regard  it  ?     But  he  is  unconcerned  ; 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND,  79 

this  cannot  be  a  bad  man  ;  he  fears  no  evil,  not 
even  from  us,  who  are  so  savage  ;  but  sleeps 
comfortably,  and  places  his  life  in  our  hands.' 

" '  However,  I  could  not  forget  his  words ; 
they  constantly  recurred  to  ^y  mind;  even 
though  I  went  to  sleep,  yet  I  dreamed  of  the 
blood  which  Christ  had  shed  for  us.  I  thought, 
'  This  is  very  strange,  and  quite  different  from 
what  I  have  ever  heard.'  So  I  went  and  inter- 
preted Christian  Henry's  words  to  the  other 
Indians. 

" '  Thus,  through  the  grace  of  God,  an  awaken- 
ing took  place  among  us.  I  tell  you  therefore, 
brethren,'  said  he,  '  preach  to  the  heathen 
Christ,  and  his  blood,  his  sufferings,  and  his 
death,  if  you  would  have  your  words  to  gain 
entrance  among  them ;  if  you  wish  to  confer 
a  blessing  upon  them.'  "* 

But  the  passage  in  Mr.  Richmond's  sermon 
which  produced  the  strongest  impression  upon 
his  hearers  was  the  following  : — 

"  I  stand  before  you  this  day  as  an  ambassa- 
dor for  Christ,  in  the  cause  of  those  who  are 

*  See  Crantz's  History  of  the  Greenland  Mission,  a  most 
interesting  publication ;  in  which  mission  the  preaching 
of  the  cross  led  to  a  general  awakening  of  the  Greenland- 
ers,  after  the  preliminary  truths  of  religion  had  been  brought 
before  them  nearly  eighteen  years  with  little  or  no  effect 


80  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

ready  to  perish.  In  his  and  their  name,  I  be- 
seech you  to  hear  me,  while  I  propose  a  few- 
considerations  to  your  attention. 

"  Consider  the  state  of  the  world,  its  empires, 
nations,  kindredsi,  and  tribes.  When  a  map  of 
the  world  is  presented  to  the  eye,  with  what  a 
variety  of  affections  is  it  viewed,  according  to 
the  character  and  pursuits  of  the  inspector  ! 

"  The  mere  statesman  diligently  examines 
the  magnitude,  position,  and  boundaries  of  other 
countries,  with  a  sole  reference  to  the  political 
aggrandizement  of  his  own.  Wars,  conquests, 
treaties,  alliances,  and  a  multitude  of  consider- 
ations connected  with  ambition,  power,  and  na- 
tional honour,  dictate^  and  accompany  all  his 
speculations  on  the  map.  And  then  he  has 
done  with  it,  and  lays  it  down. 

"  The  merchant  takes  up  the  map,  and  eager- 
ly traverses  the  delineation  of  seas,  continents, 
and  islands,  with  anxious  inquiry  as  to  the  pe- 
cuniary profit  and  loss  of  trade  and  merchandise. 
His  thoughts  are  absorbed  in  considering  how 
much  may  be  gained  by  his  speculations  to 
some  distant  island  or  foreign  shore.  He  me- 
ditates on  the  track  of  his  vessel  upon  the  ocean, 
marks  its  course  upon  the  hazardous  waves, 
and  is  full  of  agitation  with  respect  to  its  fate. 
There  is  his  golden  treasure,  and  his  heart  is 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  81 

there  also.  As  he  views  the  map,  he  conjec- 
tures, hopes,  fears  ;  and,  with  much  solicitude, 
contemplates  his  future  gains,  or  dreads  im- 
pending losses.  The  map  is  again  laid  down, 
and  he  has  done  with  it. 

"  The  curious  traveller  takes  up  the  map  of 
the  world,  and  is  occupied  with  the  remem- 
brance or  anticipation  of  the  various  customs, 
manners,  dresses,  languages,  buildings,  and  ce- 
remonies ;  with  a  long  list  of  wonders  and 
amusements  that  have  engaged  his  attention. 
In  such  a  way  his  imagination  travels  over  the 
whole  globe ;  and  then  this  man's  contempla- 
tions on  the  map  are  likewise  concluded. 

"  The  natural  philosopher  investigates  the 
various  productions  of  this  diversified  globe 
with  another  object.  Theories  of  the  earth's 
formation,  the  animal,  vegetable,  and  mineral 
kingdoms,  the  origin  of  volcanoes,  the  cause 
of  earthquakes,  the  variation  of  the  magnetic 
needle,  all  afford  him  endless  subjects  of  exa- 
mination. Every  continent,  sea,  climate,  and 
zone,  which  the  map  presents  to  his  eye,  fur- 
nishes him  with  matter  for  inquisitive  specula- 
tion ;  and  then  he  has  done  with  it  also. 

"  But  when  the  Christian  beholds  the  world's 
map,  he  has  a  subject  of  investigation  far  be- 
yond  them  all.     What  they  have   overlooked 


82  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

and  disregarded  is  every  thing  to  him.  His 
great  inquiry  is, '  Show  me  the  visible  kingdom 
of  Christ ;  name  the  countries  where  Christ  is 
known  and  worshipped.  O,  when  shall  the 
kingdoms  of  this  world  become  the  kingdoms 
of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ  ?  When  shall 
the  heathen  fear  the  name  of  the  Lord  V 

"  As  his  eye  traverses  the  globe,  he  sighs 
over  the  awful  contrast  which  its  different  por- 
tions exhibit.  His  own  soul  loves  Jesus,  the 
Saviour  of  men.  But  how  small  a  part  of  these 
immense  tracts  of  country  which  the  map  pre- 
sents to  his  view  so  much  as  know  whether 
there  be  any  Christ  I  What  nations  immersed 
in  heathenish  idolatry !  How  many  overrun 
with  the  tyrannical  superstition  of  Mohammed  ? 
Yea,  where  even  the  name  of  Christ  is  pro- 
fessed, how  many  are  sunk  into  the  deep  mire 
of  popish  corruption,  or  virtual  infidelity  !  How 
small  a  portion  seems  as  yet  to  belong  to  Christ! 

"  He  mourns  over  the  prospect,  but  does  not 
lay  down  the  map  and  think  no  more  of  it. 
Again  and  again  he  takes  it  up,  prays  for  the 
sheep  of  Christ  in  distant  lands,  recommends 
their  case  to  God,  and  meditates  plans  for  their 
deliverance.  He  surveys  the  vast  continents 
of  Asia  and  Africa,  and  for  the  most  part  it 
seems  to  be  darkness  visible.     Then  he  looks 


LIFE  or  LEGH   RICHMOND.  83 

for  his  native  island  at  home,  endeared  to  him 
by  a  thousand  considerations,  but  most  endear- 
ed on  account  of  the  gospel  light  with  which 
she  is  blessed.  And  shall  not  the  rays  of  that 
light  soon  be  diffused,  as  from  a  centre,  to  all 
the  surrounding  world  ?  Doth  not  a  voice  from 
above,  in  an  especial  manner,  say  unto  Britons, 
'  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  V  Wherefore  ?  Only 
for  political  aggrandizement, — for  merchandise, 
— for  travelling  recreation, — for  collecting  of 
philosophical  rarities  ?  Are  these  your  only 
objects?  No;  saith  the  Word,  ''Go  ye  into 
all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature !' 

"  From  such  a  meditation  on  the  map  the 
Christian  retires, — not  to  slumber  over  the  con- 
victions of  duty  ;  not  to  say  much  and  do  no- 
thing. He  freights  a  vessel  to  carry  the  pearl 
of  great  price  to  those  who  neither  know  of  its 
existence  nor  its  value.  The  missionary  is  on 
board  the  ship.  The  messenger  of  God  is 
crossing  the  seas  ;  not,  as  formerly,  to  make 
the  Ethiopians  afraid,  but  to  proclaim  the  glad 
tidings  of  salvation  to  the  heathen,  to  preach 
the  gospel  to  the  poor,  to  heal  the  broken-heart- 
ed, to  preach  deliverance  to  the  captives,  and 
recovering  of  sight  to  the  blind.  While  the 
Christian  at  home,  who  has  been  the  instrument 


84  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

of  sending  him  forth  on  this  errand  of  love, 
anxiously  waits  to  hear  the  happy  news  that 
Dagon  is  fallen  upon  his  face  to  the  ground 
before  the  ark  of  the  Lord  ;  that  Bel  boweth 
down,  and  Nebo  stoopeth,  while  the  great  trum- 
pet is  blown  ;  and  that  they  which  were  ready 
to  perish  in  the  land  of  Assyria,  and  the  out- 
casts in  the  land  of  Egypt,  are  now  worshipping 
the  Lord  in  his  holy  mount. 

*'  O  ye  statesmen,  merchants,  travellers,  and 
philosophers,  take  up  your  maps  once  more. 

"Again  consider  the  state  of  the  church  ;  and 
if  you  love  Christ,  feed  his  sheep." 

The  collection  on  this  occasion  amounted  to 
upward  of  $1500,  being  the  largest  sum  ever 
contributed  at  any  of  the  anniversaries  of  the 
Church  Missionary  Society. 

Mr.  Richmond's  exertions  in  behalf  of  the 
religious  societies  began  from  this  period  to 
form  a  very  prominent  feature  in  his  life.  With 
a  persevering  energy,  which  no  labour  could 
weary,  he  advocated  their  cause,  both  from  the 
pulpit  and  the  platform,  to  crowded  and  de- 
lighted auditories,  and  roused  the  public  feeling 
in  almost  every  part  of  the  kingdom. 

As  a  public  speaker,  says  Mr.  Grimshaw,  he 
possessed  a  felicity  of  idea  and  expression  pe- 
culiar to  himself.     His  thoughts  were  natural 


LIFE   OF   LEGH   RICHMOND.  85 

and  simple.  They  seemed  to  flow  without 
eflbrt,  and  to  be  the  spontaneous  productions  of 
his  mind ;  but  his  imagination  clothed  them  in 
a  form  that  resembled  the  various  tints,  the 
brilliant  glow,  and  the  harmonious  colouring 
of  the  rainbow.  His  addresses  were  marked 
by  extraordinary  powers  of  description,  and 
by  an  eloquence  peculiar  to  himself,  which 
must  have  been  witnessed  to  be  duly  ap- 
preciated. His  images  were  frequently  bor- 
rowed from  the  scenes  of  nature,  which  were 
made  to  illustrate  some  instructive  and  spiritual 
truth.  The  lofty  mountain  and  the  verdant 
vale,  the  tranquil  rivulet  or  broad  expanse  of 
ocean,  all  became  tributary  to  his  imagination, 
and  supplied  materials  to  his  creative  fancy. 
He  could  affect  the  heart  by  touches  the  most 
natural,  and  by  appeals  the  most  pathetic.  He 
could  restore  the  spirit  of  a  meeting  when  it 
was  cold  or  languid  ;  could  speak  early  or  late  ; 
could  select  his  topics  from  the  ideas  of  prece- 
ding speakers,  or  invent  them  for  himself,  while 
his  delighted  auditors  would  listen  with  a  smile 
on  the  countenance,  and  with  a  sensation  of 
joy  in  the  heart,  that  seemed  to  take  from  time 
its  flight,  and  from  fatigue  its  weariness.  If  it 
be  said  that  this  style  is  less  adapted  to  reli- 
gious subjects,  and  must  have  possessed  more 


86  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

of  taste  than  solidity,  more  of  what  was  inter- 
esting to  the  imagination  than  edifying  to  the 
mind,  or  awakening  to  the  conscience,  truth 
and  justice  require  us  to  remark  that  he  never 
forgot  the  spiritual  improvement  of  his  hearers. 
For  the  purpose  of  assisting  the  funds  of 
these  societies  he  occasionally  undertook  a  tour 
of  two  or  three  months'  duration,  and  some- 
times succeeded  in  obtaining  from  three  to  five 
thousand  dollars,  and  even  more,  in  a  single 
journey.  This  fact,  when  we  take  into  consi- 
deration the  strong  prejudices  against  these 
societies  which  prevailed  in  many  portions  of 
the  Established  Church,  is  a  sufficient  proof  of 
Mr.  Richmond's  popularity,  and  of  his  peculiar 
adaptation  for  this  interesting  work.  But  a  still 
more  beneficial  effect  of  his  labours  than  their 
immediate  pecuniary  results,  was  the  establish- 
ment of  correct  principles  on  the  subject  of 
missions,  the  removal  of  prejudices,  and  the 
enforcement  of  the  claims  of  Jews  and  Gentiles 
on  the  prayers  and  benevolence  of  the  Christian 
public.  There  was  also  another  thing  of  which 
he  never  lost  sight,  namely,  the  close  connection 
of  the  missionary  cause  with  the  advancement 
of  personal  piety.  While  he  spoke  of  the  souls 
of  the  heathen  or  Jews,  he  faithfully  reminded 
his  hearers  of  their  own  ;  admonished  them  of 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  87 

t'heir  obligation  to  improve  their  Christian  pri- 
vileges ;  and  of  the  possibility  of  many,  at  the 
last  day,  being  admitted  "  from  the  east,  and 
from  the  west,  and  from  the  north,  and  from  the 
south,"  while  the  children  of  the  kingdom  might 
be  cast  out !  that  nominal  Christianity  was, 
after  all,  little  better  than  heathen  ignorance  ; 
v.'hile  it  involved  greater  guilt  and  a  more  tre- 
mendous responsibility  ;  that  personal  religion 
was  one  of  the  best  securities  for  missionary 
zeal  and  exertion  ;  and  that  no  one  was  likely 
ever  to  be  successfully  engaged  in  communi- 
cating the  gospel  to  others,  who  had  not  first 
felt  its  power  and  experienced  its  peace  in  his 
own  heart. 

During  these  periodical  excursions  his  own 
charge  was  not  allowed  to  suffer  by  his  ab- 
sence from  home.  It  was  his  fixed  determina- 
tion never  to  enter  upon  a  public  engagement, 
till  a  provision  had  been  made  for  the  services 
of  his  parish  ;  and  he  seldom  left  home  without 
procuring  a  resident  minister.  Subsequently, 
when  the  claims  of  the  different  public  socie- 
ties, and  the  calls  of  his  distant  friends  required 
him  to  give  up  a  large  portion  of  his  time,  he 
appointed  a  regular  curate,  who  also  undertook 
the  care  and  tuition  of  his  children.  In  the 
midst  of  his  unceasing,  various,  and  exciting 


88  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

labours  abroad,  he  never  forgot  the  claims  of 
those  whom  he  had  left  behind  ;  and  his  pasto- 
ral letters  to  his  flock,  as  also  his  correspond- 
ence with  his  family  while  on  these  journeys, 
show  his  ceaseless  solicitude  for  their  spiritual 
welfare. 

For  his  services  in  behalf  of  the  religious 
institutions  whose  cause  he  was  in  the  habit  of 
pleading  he  received  no  pecuniary  compensa- 
tion. Writing  on  this  subject  to  a  friend  who 
had  heard  it  reported  that  his  services  were 
recompensed  by  a  salary,  he  says,  "I  must 
request  that  justice  may  be  done  to  me,  and  to 
the  cause  which  I  espouse.  The  report  is  false. 
I  never  did,  nor  ever  would  accept  of  a  single 
farthing,  from  a  single  individual.  The  whole 
has  ever  been  completely  gratuitous,  and  disin- 
terested. Many  valuable  clergymen  are  pur- 
suing the  same  path  of  usefulness  in  their  oc- 
casional excursions  from  home ;  but  they  act 
as  volunteers,  and  not  as  hirelings ;  we  seek 
no  reward  in  this  world,  but  that  of  seeing  good 
done,  and  mankind  benefited." 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  89 


CHAPTER  VII. 

VIEW  OF  MR.  Richmond's  character  as  the 

FATHER  OF  A   FAMILY. 

While  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  the 
advocate  of  religious  societies,  Mr.  Richmond's 
"  praise  was  in  all  the  chm*ches,"  his  character 
shone  with  equal  lustre  in  private  life.  We 
will  therefore  invite  the  reader  to  turn  aside  for 
a  short  time  from  more  public  scenes,  and  view 
him  in  the  domestic  circle,  in  the  interesting 
and  responsible  relation  of  father  of  a  family. 

Mr.  Richmond's  family  was  large,  consisting 
of  five  sons  and  as  many  daughters,  besides 
two  children  who  died  in  their  infancy.  Re- 
garding these  as  immortal  spirits,  destined  to 
an  eternity  of  happiness  or  of  wo,  his  first  con- 
cern was  not  their  temporal  support,  but  their 
spiritual  welfare.  His  "  heart's  desire  and 
prayer  to  God"  for  them  was  "  that  they  might 
be  saved."  On  the  birth  of  his  first  child,  which 
took  place  in  1798,  he  says,  "  My  responsibili- 
ties are  greatly  increased  by  the  birth  of  a  son, 
and  I  have  need  of  wisdom  to  preserve  this 
loan  of  the  Lord,  and  train  up  an  immortal 
soul  for  heaven."     With  those  tender  and  afTec- 


90  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND, 

tionate  emotions  which  none  but  a  Christian 
parent  can  feel,  did  he  take  each  new-born  babe 
in  his  arms  and  invoke  upon  it  the  divine  bless- 
ing. 

Mr.  Richmond  was  a  decided  advocate  of  the 
plan  of  home  education,  and  all  his  children  ap- 
pear to  have  had  their  early  instruction  under 
the  parental  roof.  He  was  of  the  opinion  "  that 
though  a  good  school  is  better  than  a  bad  home, 
a  good  home  is  the  best  of  schools." 

His  chief  objection  to  sending  his  children 
to  public  schools  was  a  fear  lest  their  morals 
should  be  corrupted  by  forming  intimacies  with 
improper  associates.  Indeed,  so  sensitive  was 
he  on  this  point  that  he  rarely  allowed  his  chil- 
dren, when  at  home,  to  hold  any  intercourse 
with  others,  except  under  his  own  watchful  eye 
and  diligent  superintendence. 

His  first  object  therefore  was  to  make  home 
the  happiest  place  for  his  children,  and  so  to 
interest  them  in  domestic  enjoyments  as  to  pre- 
clude the  disposition  so  common  among  young 
people  to  wander  abroad  in  search  of  pleasure 
and  employment.  In  this  he  so  completely 
succeeded  that  none  of  the  family  could  leave 
home,  even  for  an  occasional  visit,  without  feel- 
ings of  regret,  and  the  period  of  return  was  al- 
ways looked  forward  to  with  fond  anticipation. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  91 

A  happy  home  greatly  depends  on  the  recre- 
ations and  amusements  v/hich  are  provided  for 
young  people.  It  is  no  small  difficulty  to  give 
a  useful  direction  to  their  play  hours  :  little 
more  has  usually  been  contemplated  in  the 
gambols  of  youth  than  the  health  and  activity 
of  their  bodies,  and  the  refreshment  of  their 
spirits.  It  is  well  when  these  objects  can  be 
attained  without  the  indulgence  of  sinful  tem- 
pers ;  but  youthful  sports  often  foster  pride, 
ambition,  and  contention. 

Mr.  Richmond  endeavoured  to  occupy  the 
leisure  hours  of  his  children  in  such  a  manner 
as  should  tend  to  their  moral  and  intellectual 
improvement.  It  was  a  maxim  with  him  that 
the  mind  needed  not  idleness  or  frivolity  to 
restore  its  activities  or  fit  it  for  graver  studies ; 
but  that  it  might  always  find  sufficient  relaxation 
in  variety;  and  his  success  in  associating  some 
useful  pursuit  with  the  recreations  of  his  chil- 
dren proves  the  correctness  of  his  judgment  in 
this  respect.  He  had  recourse  to  what  was 
beautiful  in  nature,  or  ingenious  in  art  or 
science  ;  and  when  abroad  he  collected  mate- 
rials to  gratify  curiosity.  He  fitted  up  his 
museum  and  his  library  with  specimens  of 
mineralogy,  instruments  for  experimental  phi- 
losophy,  interesting   curiosities   from  various 


92  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

parts  of  the  world,  and  authors  of  every  country 
who  treated  on  the  improvements  connected 
with  modern  science  ;  whatever,  in  short, 
could  store  the  mind  with  ideas,  or  interest  and 
improve  the  heart.  When  he  travelled  he  kept 
up  a  correspondence  with  his  family,  giving 
them  accounts  of  the  places  he  visited,  and  the 
persons  and  adventures  he  met  with  ;  and  on 
his  return  he  enlivened  many  a  leisure  hour  by 
larger  details  of  all  that  he  had  observed  to 
amuse  and  improve. 

It  was  truly  a  gratifying  sight  to  witness  the 
affectionate  parent  in  the  professor's  chair, 
with  a  mind  richly  stored,  and  a  countenance 
beaming  with  kindness,  fixing  the  attention  of 
his  youthful  auditors  on  subjects  abstruse  in 
their  character,  but  rendered  interesting  and 
intelligible  to  the  happy  group  which  surrounded 
him. 

Music  was  another  source  of  domestic  amuse- 
ment in  which  Mr.  Richmond  excelled,  being 
both  a  good  composer  and  no  mean  performer. 
Many  of  his  children  also  played  on  some  in- 
strument, and  occasionally  joined  their  father 
in  a  "  concert  of  sweet  sounds." 

With  so  many  sources  of  innocent  and  im- 
proving amusement,  it  is  not  surprising  that 
Mr.  Richmond's  children  felt  no  regret  at  the 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  93 

interdict  which  he  placed  on  all  games  of 
chance,  dancing,  the  theatre,  oratorios,  and 
other  similar  sources  of  gratification,  which  he 
justly  thought  to  be  utterly  inconsistent  with 
the  spirit  of  religion. 

Discipline  is  a  subject  of  no  small  moment 
in  the  education  of  a  family.  Offences  must 
needs  come  ;  and  the  "  foolishness"  which  is 
"  bound  up  in  the  heart  of  a  child"  will  discover 
itself  in  acts  of  disobedience  to  God  and  to 
parents.  There  has  been  much  difference  of 
opinion  among  wise  and  good  men,  how  this 
is  to  be  met  and  subdued.  Mr.  Richmond's 
method  of  discipline  was  perhaps  pecviliar  to 
himself;  while  he  was  firm  and  unyielding, 
and  never  ceased  to  remonstrate,  and  employ 
means  to  reduce  his  child  to  obedience,  and  to 
awaken  him  to  a  sense  of  his  error,  he  was 
never  known  to  resort  to  corporeal  chastisement. 
The  chief  way  in  which  he  marked  his  dis- 
pleasure was  by  those  signs  of  extreme  distress 
which  penetrated  the  heart  of  the  delinquent, 
and  softened  rebellion  into  regret,  and  by  keep- 
ing the  offender  at  a  distance,  in  separating  him 
from  the  society  of  the  family,  as  one  unworthy 
to  share  in  their  privileges  and  affection.  None 
of  his  children  could  long  endure  this  exclusion, 
or  bear  with  sullen  indifference  a  countenance 


94  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RlCHMOxND. 

which  silently  expressed  the  deepest  anguish. 
Perhaps  there  never  was  a  family  where  the 
reign  of  love  suffered  less  interruption. 

Mr.  Richmond  was  an  early  riser,  and  he 
endeavoured  to  train  up  his  children  in  the  same 
habit.  He  used  to  read  with  them  in  his  study 
as  early  as  six  o'clock  in  the  morning.  He 
was  very  attentive  to  their  regularity,  neatness, 
and  good  manners.  At  the  table  he  endea- 
voured to  make  the  conversation  useful  and 
improving.  Sometimes  he  proposed  a  subject 
for  discussion,  and  when  he  perceived  youthful 
spirits  rising  to  excess,  he  would  throw  in  a 
remark  to  check  the  exuberance.  He  allowed 
and  even  encouraged  perfect  freedom  and  ease, 
yet  every  one  felt  that  there  was  an  eye  and 
an  ear  over  every  thing. 

He  seemed  anxious  that  his  children  should 
always  have  some  subject  upon  which  to  em- 
ploy their  minds  during  those  hours  which 
usually  run  to  waste, — the  moments  and  inter- 
stices of  time.  He  used  to  say,  "  An  idle  mo- 
ment is  Satan's  opportunity." 

The  principal  characteristic,  however,  of  his 
mode  of  education,  was  the  piety  infused  into 
every  employment  or  pleasure.  Whether  in 
the  field  or  the  museum,  whether  he  examined 
what  was  beautiful  to  the  eye,  or  indulged  in 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  95 

what  was  harmonious  to  the  ear,  whether  he 
made  an  experiment  or  related  an  event,  every- 
thing was  connected  in  his  own  mind,  and  in 
that  of  his  children,  with  Him  "  who  giveth  all 
things  richly  to  enjoy ;"  every  thing  afforded 
him  an  illustration  of  some  religious  truth,  or 
v/as  employed  to  inspire  some  devout  affection. 
The  connection  of  religion  with  science  was  a 
favourite  topic,  on  which  he  used  to  enlarge 
with  great  satisfaction.  "  I  would  have  my 
children,"  said  he,  "  to  see  God  in  every  thing. 
It  is  not  merely  a  transitory  emotion  I  wish  to 
raise  in  their  minds,  but  a  habit  of  referring,  in 
all  they  see,  to  their  Maker  with  delight  and 
reverence.  I  will  never  consent  to  shut  God 
out  of  his  own  universe,  or  to  divorce  science 
and  religion,  which  he  has  joined  together  to 
dwell  with  each  other  in  unity  and  love." 

He  provided  each  child  with  a  separate 
sleeping-room  ;  thus  securing  a  comfortable 
place  of  retirement  and  devotion.  These  little 
sanctuaries  were  always  accessible  to  himself; 
he  often  visited  them  to  leave  a  note  on  the 
table  ;  for  while  at  home,  as  well  as  when 
abroad,  he  kept  up  a  correspondence  with  his 
family,  which  he  used  to  call  his  "  home  mis- 
sion ;"  and  to  these  notes  he  sometimes  requested 
a  reply.     Explaining  to  a  friend  his  reasons  for 


96  LIFE   OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

adopting  this  singular  method  of  communicating 
with  his  children  on  the  subject  of  religion,  he 
said,  "  I  feel  an  insurmountable  backwardness 
to  close  personal  conversation  with  my  chil- 
dren ;  when  I  begin  they  are  silent,  and  it  is 
not  long  before  I  also  feel  tongue-tied ;  yet  I 
cannot  be  easy  without  ascertaining  the  effect 
of  my  instructions,  and  hence  I  have  been 
driven  to  use  my  pen  because  I  cannot  open 
my  lips." 

This  plan  of  home  correspondence,  though 
it  appears  to  have  been  adopted  rather  from 
necessity  than  choice,  was  not  without  its  ad- 
vantages. Conversation  with  children  on  the 
subject  of  religion  is  apt  to  be  nearly  all  on  one 
side  ;  but  a  communication  by  letter  admits  of 
freedom  and  reflection,  and  if  a  reply  be  ex- 
pected, obliges  an  interchange  of  sentiments. 
It  also  teaches  young  people  to  think  and 
compose. 

The  anniversaries  of  his  children's  birth-days 
were  always  seasons  of  festivity  among  them, 
and  were  also  made  occasions  for  promoting 
their  spiritual  improvement.  We  have  already 
informed  our  readers  of  the  manner  in  which 
Mr.  Richmond's  own  birth-days  were  observed ; 
those  of  his  children  were  kept  with  no  less 
reverence  to  religion,  though  in  a  more  private 


LIFE  01"  LEGH   RICHMOND.  97 

manner.  He  generally  awakened  them  in  the 
morning  with  his  congratulations  and  his  bless- 
ing. Like  the  patriarch  of  Uz,  "  he  rose  up 
early  and  offered  sacrifice,  according  to  the 
number  of  them  all :  this  he  did  continually," 
Job  i,  5.  He  addressed  to  the  child  whose 
birth-day  it  was  an  affectionate  and  pious  note, 
which  was  usually  accompanied  by  a  present 
of  some  useful  article.  The  day  was  spent  in 
innocent  enjoyment,  and  the  evening  was  em- 
ployed in  the  museum,  where  he  gave  a  lecture 
on  experimental  philosophy.  These  seasons 
were  anticipated  by  the  young  people  with 
much  delight,  and  their  recurrence  contributed 
greatly  to  promote  the  harmony  of  the  family, 
by  a  mutual  interchange  of  affectionate  interest 
among  its  members.  "  I  live,"  says  one  of 
them,  "  to  recall  those  innocent  and  happy  days 
when  our  dear  father,  even  in  our  childish 
sports,  was  the  mainspring  of  our  joys,  and  the 
contriver  of  every  amusement." 

We  subjoin  a  few  specimens  of  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's birth-day  letters  to  his  children.  The 
first  was  addressed  to  one  of  his  daughters  who 
had  just  reached  her  twelfth  year.  She  ap- 
pears to  have  been  from  home  at  the  time ; 
but  the  birth-day  was  always  kept,  and  a  letter 
of  conjjratulation   written  on  the  occasion,  as 


98  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

usual,  whether  the  child  was  present  or  ab- 
sent : — 

"  To  my  K. 

"  Let  not  my  loved  little  K —  suppose  that 
her  father  forgets  her.  Yaxham  may  seem  a 
long  distance  from  Turvey  ;  Glasgow  is  much 
greater,  but  in  neither  place  can  my  heart  for- 
get my  child.  I  remember  you  a  little  babe  in 
arms*.  I  loved  you  then.  I  remember  you  lying 
in  your  little  cot,  and  I  swung  you  there,  and 
loved  you  the  v,^hile. 

"  I  recollect  your  first  attempts  to  walk,  and 
your  many  consequent  little  downfalls.  I  raised 
you  up  from  your  stumblings  and  yom*  tumb- 
lings ;  I  dried  your  tears,  and  loved  you  still 
more.  I  have  not  forgotten  your  endeavours  to 
talk,  nor  your  droll  little  prattlings  ;  nor  your 
first  calling  me  papa,  and  dearly  I  loved  you 
for  it :  and  although  these  things  have  long 
since  passed  away,  and  time  has  added  to  your 
years,  my  love  for  my  K —  is  not  diminished. 
I  often  see  you  in  imagination,  and  draw  fanci- 
ful pictures  of  your  occupations  in  your  new 
dwelling ;  but  what  is  my  love  compared  with 
that  of  your  heavenly  Father  ?  What  is  the 
strongest  earthly  affection,  when  contrasted 
with  that  which  said,  '  Suffer  little  children  to 
come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  99 

is  the  kingdom  of  heaven  V  Has  my  child's 
heart  an  earnestness,  a  real  unfeigned  earnest- 
ness, to  share  in  the  love  of  such  a  Father,  and 
to  come  when  so  mercifully  called  to  such  a 
Saviour  ?  By  nature  '  foolishness  is  bound  up 
in  the  heart  of  a  child  ;'  nevertheless  by  grace 
a  young  child's  heart  may  become  the  temple 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  the  residence  of  God 
himself.  Think  of  little  Jane,  the  Young  Cot- 
tager. May  you  resemble  her  in  whatever  she 
resembled  Christ.  She  was  a  dear  little  girl, 
and  I  wish  there  were  thousands  more  like  her. 
]\Iany  have  been  made  sensible  of  their  sinful 
state  while  reading  that  story,  and,  through  the 
blessing  of  God,  have  been  brought  to  love  the 
same  Redeemer,  and  lived  and  died  rejoicing 
in  their  Saviour.  I  hope,  my  child,  you  pray 
not  only  with  your  lips,  but  with  your  heart. 
While  you  are  actively  and  dutifully  employed 
in  acquiring  useful  knowledge,  '  be  fervent  in 
spirit,  serving  the  Lord.'  In  a  little  time  you 
will  be  in  your  teens,  and  the  very  sound  of 
that  word  should  awaken  you  not  to  the  usual 
folly  and  vanity  of  this  period  of  life,  but  to  the 
responsibility  of  growing  years  and  increasing 
privileges  ;  to  the  cultivation  of  holy  learning 
and  Christian  habits  ;  to  the  love  of  Jesus  and 
communion  with  his  Spirit.     It  is  my  prayer, 


100  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

let  it  be  yours.  And  now  farewell,  my  dear 
K — .  May  you  realize  every  fond  hope,  tem- 
poral, spiritual,  and  eternal,  of  your  affectionate 
father,  L.  R." 

The  next  letter  was  written  to  his  third  son, 
who  was  named,  after  his  father,  Legh  : — 

"  My  much-loved  Boy, — You  expressed 
some  disappointment  at  dinner,  because  you 
had  not  received  your  dear  mamma's  promised 
letter  on  your  birth-day.  What  has  been  the 
cause  of  the  failure  I  know  not,  but  I  will  try 
to  compensate  for  the  disappointment  by  giving 
you  a  few  lines.  The  return  of  a  birth-day, 
when  rightly  viewed,  is  a  subject  for  very  seri- 
ous meditation  :  I  wish  it  may  prove  so  to  you. 
We  have  seen,  in  the  death  of  your  dear  bro- 
ther, how  little  health  and  strength  are  to  be 
trusted.  Childhood,  and  youth,  and  time,  are 
swiftly  passing  onward,  and  our  journey  through 
this  vale  of  tears,  whether  longer  or  shorter, 
will  soon  be  over.  Can  you  too  early  learn 
the  value  and  importance  of  time  ?  Will  you 
not  hear  the  counsel  of  a  father,  and  meditate 
on  those  things  which  belong  to  your  everlast- 
ing peace  ?  You  have  an  immortal  soul,  to  be 
lost  or  saved  for  ever.  You  have  an  under- 
standing, to  distinguish  between  good  and  evil. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  101 

You  are  therefore  a  responsible  being,  who 
must  render  an  account  of  the  deeds  done  in  the 
body,  whether  they  be  good  or  whether  they 
be  evil.  Childhood  is  the  period  when  the  cha- 
racter and  habits  of  the  future  man  are  formed. 
Trifle  not  therefore  with  your  childish  days. 
Set  a  firm  and  valuable  example  to  your  younger 
brother  :  he  will  more  or  less  imitate  your  ways 
and  dispositions,  be  they  better  or  worse.  Re- 
member, the  eye  of  God  is  upon  you  in  every 
place.  Be  where  you  will,  do  what  you  will, 
you  may  always  say  with  Hagar  in  the  wilder- 
ness— '  Thou  God  seest  me,'  I  have  of  late 
known  but  little,  too  little,  of  your  state  of  mind 
and  your  views  of  things,  temporal  and  spirit- 
ual. I  have  had  occasional  uneasiness  on  this 
subject.  You  ought  ever  to  be  putting  forth  the 
energies  of  your  mind  in  every  proper  and  pos- 
sible way.  It  is  time  that  your  attention  should 
be  drawn  to  your  future  station  in  life,  what- 
ever Providence  may  design  it  to  be.  Every 
day  and  every  hour  should  bear  witness  to  some 
progress  and  improvement  in  useful  learning, 
and  above  all,  in  that  knowledge  which  maketh 
wise  unto  salvation.  You  have  on  all  subjects 
much  to  learn,  and  it  will  not  be  acquired  with- 
out much  labour,  and  firm  determination  of  mind 
and  talent  to  the  acquirement.     What  may  be 


102  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

the  inclination  of  your  own  mind  as  to  busi- 
ness, profession,  or  occupation,  I  know  not : 
but  I  wish  you  most  seriously  to  take  this  sub- 
ject into  deliberate  consideration,  and  let  me 
in  due  time  know  the  result,  that  I  may  give 
you  counsel  and  advice.  In  the  mean  time,  a 
thirst  for  useful  knowledge,  and  a  laborious 
attention  to  its  attainment,  will  best  evidence 
your  fitness  for  that  state  of  life  into  which  it 
may  please  God  to  call  you.  But  you  can  do 
nothing  well  without  faith  and  prayer, — without 
much  anxious  reading  of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 
And  now,  my  child,  may  every  blessing  attend 
you,  for  this  world  and  the  next,  for  time  and  for 
eternity.  May  the  return  of  this  birth-day  re- 
mind you  of  many  an  important  duty  and  prin- 
ciple. Look  into  the  real  state  of  your  heart, 
and  never  be  afraid  or  ashamed  to  make  me 
acquainted  with  it.  '  The  end  of  all  things  is 
at  hand,  be  ye  therefore  sober  and  watch  unto 
prayer.'  The  heart  that  now  loves  and  watches 
over  you  on  earth,  may  ere  long,  and  must  in 
time,  become  cold  in  the  grave  :  but  seek  Him 
who  never  dieth,  and  his  love  which  never  de- 
cayeth,  and  all  shall  be  well  with  you  here  and 
hereafter.  So  counsels  and  prays  your  affec- 
tionate father, 

"  Legh  Richmond." 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  103 

The  following  effusion  was  addressed  by 
Mr.  Richmond  to  Wilberforce,  his  second  son, 
on  his  fourth  birth-day: — 

"  It  was  early  this  mom,  as  I  waked  from  my  rest, 
An  unusual  emotion  sprung  up  in  my  breast, 
The  occasion  of  this,  do  you  wish  to  be  told  1 
'Tis  my  little  boy's  birth-day — he's  just  four  years  old. 

Foolish  father  !  cries  one,  is  this  all  you  can  say, 
Is  this  to  disturb  all  your  feelings  to-day  1 
Yes — and  were  you  a  father,  you  would  not  feel  cold, 
On  your  little   boy's  birth-day,  when  just  four  years 

old. 
Old  maidens  and  bach'lors  who  no  children  have, 
Your  patience  I  ask,  for  your  pardon  I  crave, 
While  this  child  to  my  heart  I  so  warmly  enfold, 
On  the  little  boy's  birth-day,  who's  just  four  years  old. 
Ye  mothers,  who  clasp  your  dear  babes  in  your  arms, 
And  watch  o'er  their  youth  with  a  thousand  alarms, 
Set  yours  down  for  one  instant,  my  child  to  behold, 
Tis  the  little  boy's  birth-day,  he's  just  four  years  old. 
Ye  that  doat  on  your  own  lads  can  feel  for  another's, 
And  bear  with  the  fondness  of  fathers  and  mothers, 
I  invite  your  attendance,  so  deem  it  not  bold, — 
'Tis  the  little  boy's  birth-day,  he's  just  four  years  old. 

He  can  prattle  and  talk,  with  a  sweet  little  smile, 
Which  my  heaviest  moments  will  often  beguile  ; 
So  I  value  him  more  than  ten  millions  twice  told  : 
'Tis  my  little  boy's  birth-day,  he's  just  four  years  old. 

Dear  wife,  on  whose  breast  the  dear  babe  hung  so  long, 
Shall  my  muse,  on  this  day,  forget  thee  in  her  songi 


104  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

Come  and  kiss  the  poor  lad,  and  rejoice  to  be  told 
'Tis  your  little  boy's  birth-day — he's  just  four  years  old. 

My  sweet  boy  !  I've  been  writing  these  verses  for  you, 
They  show  more  of  the  father  than  poet,  'tis  true  ! 
Yet  in  spite  of  the  critics,  papa  will  be  bold  : 
Little  boy,  'tis  your  birth-day — ^you're  just  four  years  old. 

May  the  blessing  of  God,  in  abundance  pour'd  down. 
Give  thee  grace  while  on  earth,  and  in  glory  a  crown  ; 
As  thou  growest  in  years,  may  thy  virtues  unfold, 
'Tis  my  prayer  on  thy  birth-day,  when  just   four  years 
old." 

We  cannot,  we  think,  more  appropriately 
close  this  account  of  Mr.  Richmond's  parental 
character,  than  by  the  following  extract  of  a 
communication  written  by  one  of  his  daughters 
shortly  after  his  death  : — 

"  It  was  ever  the  first  wish  of  my  beloved 
father,  that  our  home  should  be  happy;  and  he 
was  never  so  well  pleased  as  when  we  were 
all  sitting  around  him.  Both  in  our  childhood 
and  youth,  every  innocent  pleasure  was  resorted 
to,  and  all  his  varied  attainments  brought  into 
exercise  to  instruct  and  amuse  us.  He  was  the 
sun  of  our  little  system,  and  from  him  seemed 
to  be  derived  the  light  and  glow  of  domestic 
happiness.  Like  the  disciple,  whose  loving 
spirit  I  have  often  thought  my  dear  father's  re- 
sembled, his  motto  was,  *  Little  children,  love 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  105 

one  another ;'  and  he  taught  this  more  effectu- 
ally by  example  than  even  by  precept.  Reli- 
gion was  unfolded  to  us  in  its  most  attractive 
form.  We  saw  that  it  was  a  happy  thing  to  be 
a  Christian.  He  was  exempt  from  gloom  and 
melancholy,  and  entered  with  life  and  cheer- 
fulness into  all  our  sports. 

"  But  we  should  not  have  been  thus  happy  in 
domestic  affection,  had  not  our  beloved  father 
so  carefully  trained  us  in  the  religion  of  Jesus 
Christ.  This  was  his  chief  concern,  his  hourly 
endeavour.  He  did  not  talk  much  with  us 
about  religion ;  but  the  books,  studies,  and  even 
amusements  to  which  he  directed  us,  showed 
that  God  was  in  all  his  thoughts,  and  that  his 
great  aim  was  to  prepare  his  children  for  hea- 
ven. Religion  was  practically  taught  in  all  he 
said  and  did,  and  recommended  to  us,  in  his 
lovely  domestic  character,  more  powerfully 
than  in  any  other  way.  He  had  a  thousand 
winning  ways  to  lead  our  infant  minds  to  God, 
and  explain  to  us  the  love  of  the  Saviour  to 
little  children.  It  was  then  our  first  impres- 
sions were  received;  and  though  for  a  time 
they  were  obscured  by  youthful  vanities,  they 
were  never  totally  erased  ;  he  lived  to  see  them, 
in  some  instances,  ripened  into  true  conver- 
sion.    It  was  his  custom,  when  we  were  verv 


106  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOxND. 

young,  to  pray  with  us  alone ;  he  used  to 
take  us  by  turns  into  his  study ;  and  memory 
still  recalls  the  simple  language  and  affecting 
earnestness  with  which  he  pleaded  for  the 
conversion  of  his  child.  I  used  to  weep  be- 
cause he  wept,  though  I  understood  and  felt 
little  of  his  meaning  ;  but  I  saw  it  was  all  love, 
and  thus  my  earliest  impression  was  associated 
with  the  idea,  that  it  was  religion  which-  made 
him  love  us  so  tenderly,  and  that  prayer  was  an 
expression  of  that  love.  I  was  led  in  this  way 
to  pray  for  those  who  were  kind  to  me,  as  dear 
papa  did. 

"  In  conversation,  he  did  not  often  urge  the 
subject  of  religion  directly  on  our  attention,  or 
question  us  much  as  to  our  personal  experience 
of  it.  He  has  sometimes  regretted  this,  and 
called  it  his  infirmity ;  but  I  think  he  adopted  a 
more  successful  plan.  He  used  to  watch  over 
us  most  cautiously,  and  express  his  opinion  in 
writing  :  we  constantly  found  letters  left  in  our 
rooms,  with  directions  to  think  and  pray  over 
them.  Reproof  was  always  conveyed  in  this 
way ;  and  he  also  took  the  same  method  of 
questioning  us  on  experimental  religion,  and 
of  '^'cseeching  us  to  become  more  decided  for 
God.  Sometimes  he  required  an  answer,  but 
generally  his  own  request  was,  that  we  would 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  107 

*  spread  his  letter  before  the  Lord,  and  think 
over  it.' 

"  His  reproofs  were  inexpressibly  tender. 
He  Was  never  angry  with  us  ;  but  when  we 
displeased  him,  he  showed  it  by  such  a  sad 
and  mournful  countenance,  that  it  touched  us 
to  the  very  heart,  and  produced  more  effect  than 
any  punishment  could  haA'^e  done,  for  we  saw 
that  it  was  our  dear  father  who  suffered  the 
most.  In  this  way  he  gained  such  an  ascend- 
ency over  our  affections,  that  none  of  us  could 
feel  happy  if  his  smile  was  withdrawn,  and  all 
regarded  that  smile  as  a  rich  reward. 

"  I  cannot  express  the  veneration  and  love 
with  which  he  was  regarded  by  every  one  of 
his  children.  With  an  understanding  of  the 
very  first  order,  a  mind  elegantly  refined  and 
polished,  and  feelings  of  the  most  delicate 
susceptibility,  he  had  a  heart  overflowing  with 
intense  affection  toward  each  of  them,  which 
was  shown  by  daily  and  hourly  attention  of 
the  most  winning  nature ;  and  they  found  in 
him  not  only  a  counsellor  and  instructor, 
but  a  companion  and  bosom  friend.  They 
clung  to  him,  indeed,  with  an  almost  idolatrous 
fondness.  Each  of  my  brothers  and  sisters 
will  agree  with  me  in  the  sentiment  of  dear 
Wilberforce   (it  was  one  of  my  brother's  re- 


108  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

marks  a  little  before  he  closed  his  eyes  upon 
his  weeping  parent,)  '  When  my  heart  feels  too 
cold  to  thank  God  for  any  thing  else,  it  can 
thank  him  for  giving  me  such  a  father.'  He 
was  the  spiritual  as  well  as  the  natural  father 
of  that  dear  boy,  and  I  trust  others  of  his  chil- 
dren are  thus  bound  to  him  by  a  tie  strong  and 
lasting  as  eternity  itself.  Surely  the  world  does 
not  contain  a  spot  of  more  sweet  and  uninter- 
rupted domestic  happiness  thanTurvey  rectory 
presented,  before  death  entered  that  peaceful 
dwelling." 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  109 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

PUBLICATION  OF  HIS  TRACTS  ;  THEIR  EXTENSIVE 
CIRCULATION  AND    USEFULNESS. 

Those  interesting  narratives  which  have 
rendered  the  name  of  Legh  Richmond  almost 
as  familiar  to  the  Christian  world  as  that  of 
the  author  of  the  Pilgrim's  Progress,  were  ori- 
ginally published  in  successive  numbers  of  a 
London  periodical,  entitled,  the  "  Christian 
Guardian,"  in  the  years  1809,  '10,  '11. 

These  communications  having  attracted  con- 
siderable attention,  Mr.  Richmond  was  induced 
to  publish  them  in  the  form  of  tracts.  The  first 
that  made  its  appearance  in  this  sbape  was  the 
"  Dairyman's  Daughter,"  which  was  soon  after 
followed  by  the  "  Negro  Servant,"  and  the 
''Young  Cottager."  In  1814  they  were  con- 
siderably enlarged  by  the  author,  and  published 
together  in  one  volume,  under  the  title  of,  "  An- 
nals of  the  Poor,"  with  the  following  appropri- 
ate motto,  from  Gray's  Elegy  : — 

"  Let  not  ambition  mock  their  useful  toil, 
Their  homely  joys  and  destiny  obscure  ; 
Nor  grandeur  hear  with  a  disdainful  smile 
The  short  and  simple  annals  of  the  poor." 


110  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

The  "  Dairyman's  Daughter"  rapidly  ac- 
quired an  unexampled  celebrity,  and  soon 
became  the  most  popular  tract  of  the  day.  In 
order  to  ensure  it  a  more  extended  usefulness 
the  author  generously  presented  it  to  the  Reli- 
gious Tract  Society,*  by  whom  it  has  been 
translated  into  most  of  the  languages  of  Eu- 
rope ;  and  we  believe  also  into  some  of  the 
Asiatic  tongues.  It  has  likewise  obtained  a 
very  wide  circulation  in  America.  At  the  time 
of  the  author's  death,  in  1827,  it  was  estimated 
that  two  million  copies  had  been  published  in 
the  English  language  alone ;  and  since  that 
period  the  circulation  has  not  only  been  con-> 
tinned,  but  carried  to  a  much  greater  extent. 
In  a  multitude  of  well-authenticated  instances, 
it  has  been,  under  the  blessing  of  God,  signally 
effective  of  good.  Mr.  Richmond  was  informed 
of  numerous  cases  in  which  it  was  acknow- 
ledged to  have  been  instrumental  to  the  con- 
version of  its  readers,  of  which  one  was  that  of 
a  female  convict  at  Botany  Bay.  The  last  in- 
stance of  its  usefulness  of  which  he  was  in- 
formed was  communicated  to  him  only  two  days 

*  Of  this  Society,  Mr.  Richmond,  at  the  urgent  request 
of  the  committee  of  the  institution,  afterward  became  one 
of  the  secretaries,  an  office  to  which  at  that  time  no  salary 
was  attached. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  lH 

before  his  decease,  and,  from  its  peculiarity, 
deserves  to  be  mentioned  : — 

*'  A  clergyman,  who  had  conceived  a  violent 
antipathy  to  the  Tract  Society  and  all  its  pub- 
lications, procured  the  *  Dairyman's  Daughter,' 
for  the  purpose  of  criticising  it,  and  exposing 
its  defects.  In  its  perusal,  however,  he  was  so 
arrested  by  the  interest  of  the  story,  and  so 
penetrated  by  the  power  of  the  religious  truths 
which  it  contained,  that  the  pen  of  criticism 
dropped  from  his  hand,  prejudice  was  charmed 
into  admiration,  and  he  became  another  trophy 
of  that  grace  which  had  shone  so  brightly  in 
the  life  and  death  of  the  dairyman's  daughter." 

A  suspicion  has  been  expressed  by  some  as 
to  the  entire  genuineness  of  the  narrative  of  the 
"  Dairyman's  Daughter,"  arising  from  an  im- 
pression that  the  language  and  sentiments  of 
her  letters  were  far  beyond  the  capacity  of  per- 
sons in  her  situation  in  life.  Mr.  Grimshaw, 
who  once  entertained  the  same  doubt,  ventured 
to  express  his  feelings  to  Mr.  Richmond,  who, 
in  consequence,  produced  some  of  the  original 
letters,  which  were  carefully  examined ;  and  the 
result  was  that  no  alteration  was  found  to  have 
been  made,  except  the  correction  of  the  spelling, 
and  the  occasional  change  of  a  single  word  for 
one  which  better  expressed  her  meaning. 


112  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

In  further  confirmation  of  the  genuine  cha- 
racter of  the  narrative,  it  may  be  stated  that  the 
late  Rev.  Joseph  Hughes,  (a  Baptist  minister, 
and  one  of  the  secretaries  of  the  British  and 
Foreign  Bible  Society,)  in  company  with  a 
friend,  visited  the  cottage  in  which  the  dairy- 
man's daughter  formerly  resided,  and  inquired 
of  her  brother  whether  the  circumstances  of 
the  story  were  precisely  the  same  as  they  were 
related  in  the  tract.  He  replied  that  there  was 
only  one  fact  that  was  misrepresented.  Being 
asked,  with  some  degree  of  anxiety,  what  that 
fact  was,  he  observed,  that  Mr.  Richmond  had 
described  a  "  vine,"  trained  near  the  side  of  the 
window,  whereas  it  was  not  a  vine,  but  an  apple 
tree.  If  historic  truth  had  never  been  more 
seriously  violated  than  in  this  instance,  the 
credibility  of  facts  would  seldom  have  been 
impeached. 

We  have  made  these  statements  for  the  pur- 
pose of  correcting  the  impression,  that  Mr. 
Richmond's  object  in  this  tract  was  to  convey 
religious  truth  under  the  garb  of  fiction, — an 
impression  which,  wherever  it  is  entertained, 
cannot  fail  to  diminish  the  interest  and  profit 
which  would  otherwise  attend  its  perusal. 

In  a  former  chapter  we  gave  some  account 
of  the  conversion  of  the  dairyman's  daughter, 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  113 

and*  her  connection  with  the  Methodist  society. 
Few,  comparatively,  of  the  readers  of  the  tract 
are  aware  how  much  the  subject  of  it  was  in- 
debted to  Methodism  for  that  "  seasoning  pow- 
er," which  has  rendered  her  a  blessing  to  so 
many  souls  in  so  many  lands.  On  this  subject 
we  will  give  some  extracts  from  a  "  Further 
Account  of  the  Dairyman's  Daughter,"  written 
by  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Carvosso,*  in  1837,  and 
published  in  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Maga- 
zine for  that  year. 

The  first  extract  is  from  a  letter  which  she 
wrote  to  her  brother  Robert  in  1796,  soon  after 
her  conversion,  and  three  or  four  years  before 
any  of  her  other  letters  that  have  been  pub- 
lished. 

"  Southampton,  March  3. 
"  My  Dear  Brother, — I  received  your 
kind  letter  the  2d  instant,  and  you  may  think 
what  a  transport  of  joy  I  felt  to  receive  such 
an  affectionate  letter  from  a  brother  I  had  so 
little  regarded  since  he  had  left  the  world  and 
me.  You  may  well  say  what  great  joy  it  gave 
you  to  hear  I  was  converted  to  God.  But  are 
you  the  only  one  ?  No,  my  dear  brother.  Think 

*  A  son  of  the  late  venerable  William  Carvosso,  whose 
well-known  memoir  is  among  the  most  popular  and  useful 
biographies  published  at  the  Methodist  Book  Room. 
8 


114  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

what  shouting  and  rejoicing  there  was  with  the 
angels  of  God  in  heaven,  that  are  around  the 
throne. 

"  It  was  when  I  was  sitting  under  that  delightful 
man,  Mr.  Crabb,  that  the  Lord  opened  my  eyes. 
It  was  the  second  time  that  I  heard  him.  And 
on  Sunday  last,  in  the  morning,  I  was  standing 
at  the  window,  and  he  came  past,  and  when  I 
saw  him  my  heart  leaped  within  me  for  joy ; 
for  I  believe  him  to  be  commissioned  from  the 
most  high  God  to  preach  the  gospel  of  salva- 
tion and  peace  to  all  that  will  hear  it.  My  dear 
brother,  I  know  it  is  not  good  to  be  partial  to 
any  of  God's  creatures  ;  but  I  liken  him  to  St. 
Paul,  for  he  seems  to  labour  more  than  they 
all ;  yet  not  he,  but  the  grace  of  God  which  is 
in  him,  and  that  is  extended  to  all  that  hear 
him  speak.  It  seems  as  if  I  could  say  with 
David,  when  he  is  there,  '  O  that  I  could  dwell 
in  the  house  of  my  God  for  ever  !'  I  shall  ever 
have  the  highest  esteem  for  him  as  a  minister 
of  God  and  Christ. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  brother,  as  I  have  no 
money  with  me,  I  beg  you  will  apply  to  my 
dear  mother  for  six  guineas  [thirty  dollars]  of  my 
money,  and  give  them  to  Mr.  Crabb.  Buy  Mr. 
Crabb  a  very  large  Bible,  that  when  he  looks 
upon  it  he  may  bless  his  God,  and  think  what 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  115 

good  he  hath  done  for  my  poor  soul  through 
the  gracious  influence  of  the  Spirit  of  God ; 
and  the  rest  he  may  dispose  of  to  the  glory  of 
God  and  the  good  of  poor  souls.  And  what  is 
between  you  and  me  think  no  more  of;  and 
pray,  my  dear  brother,  send  your  children  to 
school,  and  I  will  pay  for  them  as  long  as  I  am 
able.  And  do  see  that  our  dear  brother  is  not 
in  want  of  any  thing  that  I  can  do  for  him.*  I 
hope  God  will  be  merciful  to  all  my  dear  friends 
who  are  yet  in  darkness.  May  they  be  filled 
with  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  may  they  feel  the 
pardoning  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  their 
hearts  !  Do,  my  dear  brother,  if  possible,  as- 
semble them  together,  and  prevail  on  that  good 
man,  Mr.  Crabb,  to  be  with  them,  if  possible, 
(I  know  he  is  a  dear  lover  of  souls,)  that  he 
may  assist  them  in  turning  to  God.  I  fear  what 
you  can  say  to  them  will  be  of  no  great  use  ; 
for,  remember  the  words  of  our  Saviour,  that  a 
'  prophet  hath  no  honour  in  his  own  country.' 
My  dear  brother,  how  can  you  rest  seeing  any 
so  nearly  related  to  you  so  far  from  God  ?  O 
when  will  God  cease  to  be  merciful !  It  is  said 
when  the  tide  ceases  to  ebb  and  flow,  then  may 
God  cease  to  be  merciful. 

"  Be  sure  you  do  as  I  have  desired  in  the 
*  He  was  then  afflicted,  and  in  needy  circumstances. 


116  LIFE   OF  LEGH    RICHMOND. 

name  of  the  Lord,  and  for  the  glory  of  his  holy 
name  ;  and  my  love  to  all  that  are  in  him,  and 
that  are  wanting  to  turn  to  him.  Pray  excuse 
this,  and  write  as  soon  as  you  conveniently  can. 
Adieu,  dear  brother. 

"Elizabeth  Wallbridge."* 

"  She  lived  in  the  spirit  of  obedience  to  that 
useful  direction  of  Methodism,  'Exhort,  instruct, 
reprove  all  you  have  any  intercourse  with.' 
None  were  spared  ;  not  even  old  professors, 
when  she  saw  any  hope  of  being  useful.  And 
a  word  of  exhortation  or  reproof  was  sometimes 
followed  by  an  act  of  kindness  in  reference  to 
temporal  circumstances,  in  order  to  enforce  at- 
tention to  matters  of  higher  moment.  A  little 
before  her  death,  happening  to  be  at  a  house  in 
Newport,  a  neighbour  stepped  in,  a  poor  woman, 
and  destitute  of  religion.  Elizabeth  seized  the 
opportunity  of  conversing  with  her  very  closely 

*  The  original  letter,  from  which  the  above  is  an  extract, 
was  given  by  her  brother  to  a  gentleman  in  Cowes,  Isle 
of  Wight,  who  has  expressed  the  value  he  sets  upon  it  by 
putting  it  into  a  handsome  frame,  between  two  plates  of 
glass,  and  suspending  it  among  the  ornaments  of  his  par- 
lour. The  handwriting  and  orthography  are  just  such  as 
might  have  been  expected  from  an  uneducated  servant 
girl ;  but  it  contains  the  genuine  effusions  of  a  heart  over- 
flowing with  love  to  God  and  man. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  117 

about  her  soul,  and  the  affairs  of  another  world ; 
and,  that  she  might  fasten  the  words  of  holy- 
counsel  on  the  heart  of  the  poor  woman,  she 
immediately  afterward  sent  her  one  of  her  own 
gowns,  of  some  value. 

"  Such  was  the  dairyman's  daughter,  when 
she  so  providentially  fell  into  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Richmond.  Till  that  period  it  does  not  appear 
that  she  had  intercourse  with  any  other  Chris- 
tian friends  but  the  Methodists.  By  them  her 
dying  bed  was  surrounded,  and  they  followed 
her  remains  to  the  grave.  The  '  remarkably 
decent-looking  woman,'  of  whom  Mr,  Richmond 
speaks  in  his  beautiful  description  of  Eliza- 
beth's funeral,  was  the  late  Mrs.  Prangnell,  of 
Merston,  the  leader  of  the  class  there,  and  truly 
a  mother  in  our  Israel:  in  whose  class  Eliza- 
beth occasionally  met,  and  of  whom  an  inter- 
esting memoir  was  published  by  the  Rev.  A.  B. 
Seckerson,  when  he  travelled  in  the  island. 
The  singing  in  the  open  air,  with  which  Mr. 
Richmond  was  so  surprised,  delighted,  and  edi- 
fied, and  of  which  he  has  given  an  account  at 
once  impressive  and  attractive,  was  led  by  one 
who  is  now  a  venerable  member  of  the  Wes- 
leyan  seciety  at  Newport. 

"  As  this  account  has  been  written  partly  to 
correct  a  mistake  into  which   Mr.  Richmond 


118  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

has  fallen,  it  is  necessary  to  take  some  notice 
of  it  before  I  close.  Ke  not  only  gives  no  hint 
of  the  fact  that  the  dairyman's  daughter  was  a 
Methodist, — this  might  have  been  very  proper, 
circumstanced  as  he  was, — but  he  conducts  the 
reader  to  the  full  impression  that  she  was 
indebted  to  a  clergyman  of  the  Established 
Church  for  the  instrumentality  of  her  conver- 
sion. By  this  means,  not  only  are  those  de- 
prived of  the  honour  which  is  their  due,  but  it 
is  ascribed  to  a  quarter  to  which  it  does  not 
belong.  On  this  account  the  author  of  that  per- 
haps unequalled  tract  has  been  even  severely 
censured, — not  indeed  by  those  w^ho  had  the 
privilege  of  knowing  his  character,  and  his 
truly  catholic  and  most  affectionate  spirit,  but 
by  those  who  have  been  imperfectly  informed 
of  the  facts  of  the  case.  The  matter  is  scarcely 
worth  explanation,  except  as  it  is  one  of  those 
overwhelmingly  numerous  instances  which 
abundantly  prove  that  God  does  work,  not  as 
though  bestowing  his  '  uncovenanted  mercies' 
sparingly,  occasionally,  and  as  an  evident  ex- 
ception to  his  established  order,  but  liberally, 
constantly,  regularly,  by  the  instrumentality  of 
persons  not  occupying  a  certain  position  in 
what  has  too  often  been  asserted  to  be  the  ex- 
clusive order  of  the  ministry. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  119 

"  Whether  Mr.  Richmond  did  or  did  not 
know  that  Elizabeth  Wallbridge  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  society,  I  cannot  learn ; 
but  I  have  a  full  conviction  that,  when  he  re- 
presents her  as  informing  him  that  she  was 
awakened  in  the  Established  Church  by  a  ser- 
mon from  a  missionary  clergyman,  it  was  a 
mere  mistake,  very  naturally  resulting  from  the 
imperfect  recollection  he  would  have  of  the 
terms  which  she  employed.  Mr.  Crabb  would 
at  that  time  be  called  a  missionary,  as  the  tract 
of  country  over  which  his  labours  were  spread 
would  then  be  called  a  home  mission  among 
us  ;  and  as  Mr.  Richmond  wrote  from  memory, 
some  years  after  the  events  had  occurred,  and 
when  he  had  left  the  island,  and  resided  in  an- 
other part  of  the  kingdom,  he  might  easily 
confound  the  words  which  were  floating  in  his 
memory,  and  suppose  it  was  some  wind-bound 
missionary  who  had  come  ashore  at  the  island 
while  the  vessel  was  detained  on  the  coast. 

"  As  the  Rev.  J.  Crabb  is  still  living,  now  a 
venerable  and  highly  respected  minister  of  a 
congregation  at  Southampton,  and  has  very 
kindly  furnished  the  writer  of  this  account  with 
a  letter  on  the  subject,  an  extract  from  it  will 
set  the  matter  in  a  clear  and  candid  light.  Mr, 
Crabb  says, — 


120  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

"  '  You  request  me  to  give  you  some  informa- 
tion relating  to  the  conversion  of  the  late  Eli- 
zabeth Wallbridge,  known  by  the  name  of '  the 
dairyman's  daughter.'  Perhaps  it  is  known 
to  thousands  that  I  was  the  honoured,  though 
unworthy,  instrument  of  leading  her  to  Christ 
Jesus,  her  only  and  dearest  friend.  Several 
friends  have  urged  me  many  times  publicly  to 
correct  the  little  inaccuracies  in  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's narrative  ;  but  I  have  felt  very  unwill- 
ing to  do  it,  lest  I  should  in  any  measure  lessen 
the  importance  and  value  of  the  tract ;  espe- 
cially as  these  little  mistakes  no  more  affect 
the  truth  of  the  facts  stated,  than  if  a  man  were, 
through  forgetfulness,  to  make  a  mistake  as  to 
the  right  name  of  the  person  by  whom  a  very 
fruitful  vineyard  had  been  planted.  What  does 
that  signify  when  it  is  seen  that  the  trees  live 
and  bear  fruit?  I  was  well  acquainted  with 
that  highly  and  deservedly  beloved  servant  of 
Christ,  who  visited  the  interesting  family  in 
their  affliction  j  and  I  once  ventured  to  ask 
him,  at  his  own  house,  '  Pray,  did  you  know 
the  instrument  of  Elizabeth's  conversion  T 
'  No,'  was  the  answer ;  '  but  I  expect  it  was 
under  the  ministry  of  a  missionary  who  was 
going  abroad  to  New  South  Wales, — I  think  it 
must  have  been  Mr.  Marsden.'     The  remark 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  121 

evidently  showed  how  he  had  misunderstood 
Elizabeth's  reference  to  a  missionary.  I  said 
no  more,  only  rejoicing  in  my  own  heart  that 
the  Holy  Spirit  had  converted  her.  Mr.  Rich- 
mond must  have  fallen  into  the  mistake  by  only 
writing  from  his  memory  some  years  after  the 
events  had  occurred,  and  not  having  understood 
at  the  time  the  exact  import  of  the  words  which 
fell  from  the  lips  of  the  dying  Elizabeth.  I 
lost  sight  of  her  myself  for  several  years,  being 
obliged  to  retire  from  my  public  duties  on  ac- 
count of  ill  health  ;  but  one  day  a  friend  came 
to  me,  and  said,  '  I  have  a  guinea  sent  to  me 
by  the  brother  of  Elizabeth  Wallbridge  for  you. 
It  comes  from  her  death-bed,  and  she  desires 
your  acceptance  of  it  as  a  small  token  of  Chris- 
tian love  to  you  as  the  instrument  of  her  con- 
version.' I  valued  the  manner  in  which  it  was 
done,  and  received  the  token  as  the  grateful 
gift  of  a  dying  Christian.  I  love  her  memory, 
and  rejoice  that  the  memoir  has  been  the 
instrument  of  converting  and  comforting  thou- 
sands of  my  poor  fellow-sinners ;  and  I  most 
fervently  pray  that  it  may  long  continue  to  be  a 
blessing  to  the  church  and  to  the  world.  And 
I  trust  also  that  your  account  of  dear  Eliza- 
beth may  satisfy  all  who  have  heard  imper- 
fect statements  of  the  business.     May  all  the 


122 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 


glory  be  given  to  God  for  all  his  grace  bestow- 
ed on  us  mortals.' " 

The  simple  annals  of  the  dairyman's  daugh- 
ter have  conferred  a  lasting  interest  upon  the 
little  village  of  Arreton,  and  visiters  from  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  world  repair  thither  to  look 


upon  the  humble  dwelling  in  which  she  lived, 
and  from  which  her  happy  spirit  took  its  flight 
to  a  better  world. 

The  length  to  which  we  have  extended  our 
remarks  on  this  tract,  will  render  it  necessary 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  123 

for  US  to  be  more  brief  in  our  observations  on 
the  others. 

In  interest,  popularity,  and  usefulness,  "  Little 
Jane,  or  the  Young  Cottager,"  stands  next  to 
the  "  Dairyman's  Daughter ;"  and  has  proved 
especially  beneficial  to  the  rising  generation. 
Indeed,  the  Rev.  John  Ayre,  son-in-law  to  Mr. 
Richmond,  in  his  "  Introduction"  to  an  edition 
of  the  "  Annals  of  the  Poor,"  seems  disposed  to 
give  the  preference  to  "  Little  Jane."  He  says, 
"  There  is  something,  in  my  judgment,  irresist- 
ibly engaging  in  the  character  and  history  of 
that  simple  girl.  I  can  venerate  the  exalted 
piety  of  the  dairyman's  daughter,  who,  with  a 
masculine  strength  of  understanding,  had  ever 
her  word  of  counsel  even  for  the  minister ;  but 
I  love  the  little,  backward,  neglected,  retiring 
child,  who  starts  forth  at  once  in  all  the  moral 
beauty  of  Christian  attainment.  There  is  some- 
thing in  the  condition  of  Jane  which  seems 
especially  to  call  for  our  sympathy.  The  dairy- 
man's daughter  was  constantly  surrounded  by 
a  circle  of  affectionate  relatives,  who  regarded 
her  with  reverence  and  love  ;  while  Jane's 
religion  was,  at  best,  little  appreciated,  often 
despised  and  ridiculed,  by  her  family,  and  her 
last  hours  were  disturbed  by  sounds  of  blas- 
phemy proceeding  from  a  parent.     Many  of 


124  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

the  incidents  also  of  this  narrative  might  be 
appealed  to  as  conferring  upon  it  a  peculiar  in- 
terest. The  scene,  for  example,  where  Mr. 
Richmond,  in  his  first  visit  to  her,  while  speak- 
ing of  the  good  news  of  the  gospel,  inquires, 
'  Who  brought  this  good  news  V  and  is  an- 
swered, '  Sir,  you  brought  it  to  me  ;'  I  know 
not  who  can  read  unmoved.  Her  parting  bene- 
diction, too, — '  God  bless  and  reward  you,' — 
when  with  an  unexpected  exertion  she  threw 
her  arms  around  him  and  died — is  inexpressi- 
bly affecting." 

Mr.  Richmond,  in  writing  home  to  his  family, 
while  on  a  tour  in  Scotland  and  the  north  of 
England,  states  that  in  the  course  of  his  jour- 
ney he  had  met  with  about  thirty  instances  of 
young  persons  who  had  been  benefited  by  the 
perusal  of  this  tract. 

The  "  Negro  Servant,"  is  a  record  of  con- 
versation held  on  the  subject  of  religion,  during 
the  summer  of  1803,  with  a  poor,  unlettered 
African,  once  a  slave,  who  lived  in  the  service 
of  an  officer  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Brading, 
where  Mr.  Richmond  at  that  time  resided. 

The  two  little  pieces  entitled,  "  Cottage 
Conversations,"  and  "  Visit  to  an  Infirmary," 
were,  like  the  preceding  narratives,  originally 
published   in  the  "  Christian    Guardian,"    but 


LIFE  OF   LEGH  RICHMOND.  125 

were  not  printed  in  the  "  Annals"  with  the  other 
tracts  until  after  Mr.  Richmond's  death. 

Mr.  Richmond  was  also  the  author  of  another 
tract,  which  is  written  in  the  ballad  style,  and 
entitled,  "  The  African  Widow."  The  follow- 
ing is  his  own  account  of  it : — "  On  reading 
the  report  of  a  society  instituted  for  the  relief 
of  the  wants  of  the  poor  African  and  Asiatic 
strangers,  whom  various  circumstances  in  Pro- 
vidence have  brought  to  England,  I  was  much 
struck  with  the  very  affecting  narrative  of  a 
black  woman,  which  is  added  to  the  report.  It 
occurred  to  me  that  it  might  be  well  to  state 
the  circumstances  of  her  life  in  a  few  plain  and 
simple  rhymes.  The  attempt  is  here  made, 
preserving  the  particulars  of  the  history  as 
they  are  recorded  in  the  account  above  men- 
tioned." 

The  unexampled  popularity  of  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's tracts  is  to  be  attributed  chiefly  to  the 
beautiful  simplicity,  touching  pathos,  and 
graphic  descriptions  which  they  display,  and, 
above  all,  the  ardent  piety  which  breathes 
through  the  whole.  The  author's  exquisite 
paintings  of  scenery,  the  pious  rapture  with 
which  he  seems  to  dwell  upon  them,  and  the 
spiritual  lessons  which  he  draws  from  almost 
every  feature  in  the  prospect,  have,  no  doubt, 


126  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

reminded  many  a  reader  of  those  beautiful  lines 
of  Cowper,  in  which  he  enumerates  the  enjoy- 
ment of  natural  scenery  as  among  the  cove- 
nanted privileges  of  the  believer  : — 

"  He  looks  abroad  into  the  varied  field 
Of  nature  ;  and  though  poor,  perhaps,  compared 
With  those  whose  mansions  glitter  in  his  sight, 
Calls  the  delightful  scenery  all  his  own. 
His  are  the  mountains,  and  the  valleys  his, 
And  the  resplendent  rivers  ;  his  to  enjoy 
With  a  propriety  that  none  can  feel, 
But  who,  with  filial  confidence  inspired. 
Can  lift  to  heaven  an  unpresumptuous  eye, 
And  smiling  say.  My  Father  made  them  all  /"* 

*  Cowper' s  Task,  book  v. 


LIFE  OF   LEGH   RICHMOND.  127 


CHAPTER  IX. 

MR.   Richmond's    excursions   for  the   mis- 
sionary AND   jews'  societies 

We  have  already  alluded  to  Mr.  Richmond's 
excursions  for  the  benefit  of  various  religious 
societies.  Some  of  these  occupied  as  much  as 
two  or  three  months,  and  his  journals  of  them 
sufficiently  show  the  zeal  an(J  efficiency  with 
which  he  laboured  to  promote  the  benevolent 
objects  of  the  institutions  on  whose  behalf  they 
were  undertaken. 

As  these  journals  are  confined  chiefly  to  a 
detail  of  the  various  services  in  which  he  en- 
gaged, the  amounts  of  money  collected,  and  other 
matters  of  local  and  temporary  concern,  we 
shall  extract  only  a  few  of  the  more  interesting 
passages.  The  following  are  from  journals 
kept  during  his  tours  in  1812,  1814,  1815,  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Church  Missionary  Society, 
and  the  Society  for  promoting  Christianity 
among  the  Jews  :* — 

*  "  There  was  something  in  the  cause  of  poor  benighted 
and  outcast  Israel,  which  seemed  peculiarly  congenial  with 
Mr.  Richmond's  affectionate  and  sympathizing  spirit.  To 
exhibit  their  wrongs,  and  paint  their  sorrows,  was  a  work 


128  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

"Manchester,  Sunday,  Oct.  25, 1812. —Arrived 
at  St.  Stephen's,  Salford,  to  preach  for  the  Sun- 
day schools :  upward  of  eight  hundred  children, 
and  two  thousand  people  besides,  notwithstand- 
ing a  very  rainy  morning.  The  scene  highly 
grand  and  animating ;  and  the  singing  thrilled 
through  every  pious  nerve  and  tender  affection. 
Preached  from  John  xxi,  15,  ^Feed  my  lamhs.^ 
Collection,  $384.  Spoke  with  much  freedom, 
and  hope  I  felt  the  love  of  God  and  of  poor 
children  in  my  heart. 

"  Preached  again  in  the  same  church,  in  the 
afternoon,  from  Rev.  xi,  15.  Church  as  full  as 
in  the  morning.  Before  the  doors  were  open- 
ed, observed  more  than  a  consolidated  acre  of 
umbrellas  waiting  for  admittance  :  the  church- 
yard was  like  a  tabernacle  of  silk  and  cloth. 

"Went  in  the  evening  to  St.  James'  church. 
With  much  difficulty  I  got  to  the  pulpit — even 
the  pulpit  stairs  were  filled  to  the  top.  Preached 
fortheJewsfromPsa.cxxii,6.  Collection,  $254. 

"  Thursday. — At  seven  went  to  St.  Clement's 
church.     I  think  I  never  saw  such  a  week- 

in  which  he  delighted  to  be  engaged  ;  and  he  did  so  with 
such  genuine  feeling  and  pathetic  eloquence,  that  few 
could  resist  his  appeals  ;  and  it  would  not  be  easy  to  de- 
fine how  much  under  God,  that  now  widely  diffused  com- 
passion for  this  interesting,  but  long  neglected  people,  is  to 
be  attributed  to  his  pious  and  able  exertions  in  their  behalf." 


LIFE  OF   LEGH    RICHMOND.  129 

evening  congregation, — the  largest  church  in 
Manchester  full  to  the  doors !  I  preached  from 
Luke  xix,  4L  Never  felt  such  liberty  and 
power  in  the  pulpit  on  this  subject  before.  A 
grand  chorus,  exquisitely  sung,  from  the  '  Mes- 
siah' of  Handel,  burst  forth  when  the  sermon 
ended.  It  had  an  electrical  effect :  toward  the 
conclusion,  near  three  thousand  voices  were 
performing  it — it  was  astonishing  ! 

"  Sunday,  Nov.  1. — Set  out  to  preach  at  the 
collegiate  church  of  Manchester,  to  the  war- 
den, fellows,  and  congregation  of  that  cathedral 
establishment.  A  magnificent  and  immense  old 
church ;  congregation  estimated  at  more  than 
five  thousand,  by  the  best  judges.  The  interest 
and  popularity  which  the  cause  and  preaching 
excite,  exceed  all  calculation.  I  never  was  con- 
cerned in  any  thing  that  approached  it. 

"  Sunday,  8. — Went,  at  eight  o'clock,  to  visit 
and  exhort  the  noble  Sunday  school,  under  Mr. 
Thistlewaite's  management.  A  most  interesting 
sight.  The  children  sent  a  petition,  that  I  might 
address  them  :  there  were  fourteen  hundred. 

"  Morning  service  at  half-past  ten.  I  preach- 
ed a  sacramental  sermon,  from  Luke  xxii,  19. 
In  the  afternoon,  at  half-past  two,  a  noble  con- 
gregation assembled.  Preached  for  the  Jews, 
from  Romans  x,  1.  At  half-past  six,  a  stil) 
9 


130  LIFE  OF  LEGH    RICHMOND. 

more  numerous  one  appeared,  (about  three 
thousand  five  hundred,)  and  near  five  hundred 
turned  back  for  want  of  room.  The  scene  and 
singing  magnificent,  almost  beyond  precedent. 
I  preached  from  Psa.  li,  18.  Service  concluded 
with  that  glory  of  Handel,  the  musical  art,  and 
religion  itself — the  Hallelujah  Chorus.  The 
church  resounded,  as  with  the  clear  and  har- 
monious strains  of  angels  and  archangels.  I 
was  electrified  from  head  to  foot,  and  could  not 
refrain  from  weeping,  though  I  concealed  many 
tears  of  strong  afl^ection.  Hallelujahs  ran  in 
reiterated  peals  from  every  part  of  this  immense 
congregation  of  united  Christians — responsive 
to  each  other  and  to  the  subject,  with  such  an 
effect  as  perfectly  overwhelmed  me.  The  organ 
was  finely  played  ; — an  excellent  trumpet  was 
in  the  band,  and  added  much  to  the  brilliancy 
of  the  effect.  The  collection  was  $387.  Fif- 
teen guineas  [about  seventy-five  dollars]  were 
in  copper  :  it  took  three  hours  to  count  it;  four 
men  could  with  difficulty  lift  one  basket  into 
the  chaise,  to  convey  it  from  the  church. 

"  Thursday,  12. — Shut  myself  up  for  two 
hours,  to  prepare  for  my  sermon  at  night.  The 
congregation  not  less  numerous.  Many  Jews 
present :  ten  were  planted  directly  before  me. 
I  preached  from  Romans  i,  16,  17.     Entered 


LIFE    OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  131 

into  a  full  investigation,  whether  the  Messiah 
is  come  or  not :  I  made  it  also  a  vehicle  of 
practical  address  to  Christians.  The  service 
concluded  with  the  grand  hymn,  '  Crown  him 
Lord  of  all.'  The  Jews  never  took  their  eyes 
off  me, — rooted,  fixed  attention,  from  first  to  last. 
My  address  to  them  was  heard  with  a  solemnity 
and  anxiety  of  countenance  by  all  present,  such 
as  I  never  witnessed.  A  Jew  spoke  to  me  as 
I  went  out,  saying,  '  Sir,  we  thank  you  for 
your  kind  spirit  toward  us,  but  you  Christians 
do  not  understand  the  law  and  the  prophets. — 
Good  night,  sir.'  "* 

[There  has  been  some  discussion  as  to  what 
was  the  most  efficient  mode  of  preaching  to  the 
Jews.  Mr.  Richmond,  conversing  one  day  on 
this  subject  with  Mr.  Grimshawe,  his  biographer, 
observed,  "  I  know  of  no  Scriptural  way  of 
preaching  to  men,  otherwise  than  as  sinners ; 
and  why  the  Jews,  whose  sins  are  of  so  aggra- 
vated a  nature,  should  be  dealt  with  in  a  differ- 

*  Mr.  Grimshawe,  who  heard  this  sermon,  says,  "  he 
well  remembers  the  immense  congregation,  and  intense 
interest  excited  on  the  occasion.  At  that  part  of  the  ser- 
mon where  he  addressed  the  Jews,  who  were  very  distin- 
guishable by  their  expression  of  countenance,  there  wag 
the  most  profound  silence,  and  marks  of  the  most  fixed 
and  earnest  attention  prevailed  that  he  ever  saw  in  so 
large  a  mass  of  people." 


132  LIFE  OF  LEGH    lUCHMOND, 

ent  way,  I  do  not  see.  I  would  address  the 
Jew  as  I  would  address  any  other  man  ; — that 
is,  as  a  sinner ;  and  till  he  is  convinced  of  his 
sin,  he  will  never  believe  in  a  Saviour.  '  Christ 
crucified'  is  declared  to  be  '  to  the  Greeks  fool- 
ishness, and  to  the  Jews  a  stumbling  block ; 
but  to  them  that  believe,  the  power  of  God  and 
the  wisdom  of  God.'  No  man  will  ever  feel 
the  power  of  God,  whether  he  be  Jew  or  Gen- 
tile, till  he  learns  it  at  the  foot  of  the  cross."] 

"August  10,  1814. — Proceeded  to  Derby  and 
Matlock ;  delighted  with  the  High  Tor,  [a  ce- 
lebrated rock ;]  resolved  on  its  being  my  text, 
in  illustration  of  Deuteronomy  xxxii,  4.  Con- 
gregation and  evening  quiet,  calm,  and  inter- 
esting. The  beauty  of  this  place  increases,  to 
my  apprehension,  every  time  I  revisit  it. 
Blessed  be  the  Rock  of  sah^ation  !  I  returned 
to  M.  B.  by  twilight.  The  scene  exquisitely 
fine.  God  made  all  these  beauties  !  May  I  see 
Him  in  them  ! 

"  Sept.  1. — Found  many  letters  ;  one  from  my 
dear  wdfe,  which  I  answered.  Children  all 
well  at  home.  O,  how  merciful  is  God  I  I 
have  laboured  much  this  last  fortnight,  but  am 
in  no  respect  the  worse,  and  in  many  the  better 
for  it.  And  so  may  he  ever  give  his  beloved  rest, 
not /row?,  but  in  labour.    The  harvest  is  plente- 


LIFE  OF   LEGH   RICHMOND.  133 

ous,  but  the  labourers  are  few.  The  import- 
ance of  such  a  work  as  I  am  engaged  m  ap- 
pears daily  more  and  more  in  its  effects  on  in- 
dividuals, places,  and  districts.  May  the  Mas- 
ter, whom  I  serve,  give  me  strength,  according 
to  my  day,  and  use  me  for  his  own  glory,  and 
the  good  of  the  church  of  Christ,  ivhere,  when, 
and  how  he  pleaseth  ! 

"  Sept.  2. — Stayed  in  the  house  all  day.  En- 
deavoured to  collect  some  matter  for  my  mis- 
sionary sermons.  Had  an  hour's  conversation 
with  the  pious  and  exemplary  Mrs.  C — ,  of 
Stockport.  '  Spent  a  comfortable  day  with  my 
mother  and  aunt.  Sat  up  before  I  went  to  bed 
and  meditated  on  the  blessings  which  God  had 
mercifully  bestowed  on  me,  in  giving  me  so 
valuable  a  wife,  and  so  many  dear  children.  I 
then  prayed  for  them,  and  retired  to  rest. 

"  Sept.  5. — Rose  early,  and  was  struck  with 
the  singularly  beautiful  effect  of  the  morning 
fog  or  dew,  rolling,  or  rather  reposing  in  flakes 
and  masses  on  the  valley  seen  from  my  win- 
dow. The  hills  around  me  were  clear,  the 
sun  shining,  the  objects  in  some  part  of  the  val- 
ley beginning  to  appear.  At  length,  all  became 
clear  and  uninterrupted.  The  whole  was  highly 
interesting.  Went  through  the  beautiful  val- 
ley.    Saw  a  comment  on  my  text  of  last  night; 


134  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

a  large  tract  of  harvest  land,  and  one  solitary 
person  reaping  it ! 

"  Sept.  10. — Breakfasted  at  Bonsai :  then 
read,  wrote,  and  meditated  for  to-morrow.  The 
Lord  of  grace  and  glory  help  me  in  my  work, 
and  bless  it  to  me  a  poor  sinner,  while  I  preach 
for  and  to  other  poor  sinners  ! 

"Oct.  11. — Arrived  safe  at  Turvey,  at  half- 
past  seven  o'clock ;  finding  the  dear  children 
well.  What  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for 
all  his  benefits  unto  me  ? 

"  Thus  ends  a  journey  marked  by  manifold 
mercies,  pleasures,  useful  labours,  and  gratifying 
events.  Many  valuable  friendships  formed  ; — 
religious  and  personal  influence  extended ; — 
the  cause  both  of  Jews  and  heathen  furthered  ; 
— knowledge  gained,  love  increased,  and  Chris- 
tian esteem  established  and  cemented.  Glory 
to  God  in  the  highest. 

"  August,  1815. — Commenced  a  journey  for 
the  Jews'  and  Church  Missionary  Societies. 

"  Aug.  27. — Preached  at  Bolton,  to  between 
three  and  four  thousand  people,  for  the  Sunday 
schools.  Collection,  $805.  A  magnificent 
appearance.  The  singing  was  grand  and  im- 
pressive in  the  highest  degree.  Anthems, 
Handel's  chorusses,  &c.,  were  sung,  and  ac- 
companied by  trumpets,  horns,  &c.,  in  a  very 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  135 

fine  style  indeed.  My  mind  was  much  affected, 
and  I  found  considerable  enlargement,  though 
not  without  much  inward  temptation  and  strug- 
gle to  the  contrary 

"  Aug.  30. — Went  to  see  Lancaster  church 
and  castle.  Examined  the  interior  of  the  castle, 
visited  the  criminals,  &c.  Had  much  affect- 
ing information  from  Mr.  H.  relative  to  some 
criminals,  executed  at  various  periods.  What 
a  picture  of  man  does  a  jail  afford ! — how  it  re- 
minds me  of  the  saying  of  John  Bradford,  the 
reformer,  on  seeing  a  criminal  taken  to  the 
place  of  execution — '  But  for  the  grace  of  God, 
there  goes  John  Bradford.' 

"  Huddersfield,  October  1 . — Preached  for  the 
Church  Missionary  Society,  from  Acts  xxvii, 
23.  Church  much  crowded.  Preached  in  the 
afternoon  at  Slathwaite  chapel,  from  Mark  xvi, 
15.  About  two  thousand  persons  present.  In 
the  evening  preached  at  Longwood  chapel, 
from  Psalm  Ixxxix,  15,  16.  An  immense  mul- 
titude. Upward  of  $803  collected  at  these 
services.  Had  a  day  of  great  labour  and  appa- 
rent usefulness.  Was  carried  through  very 
mercifully,  in  all  the  three  sermons.  I  hear 
of  good  effects  from  my  sermons  of  last  year  in 
this  vicinity,  particularly  that  at  Huddersfield, 
from  Eph.  iii,  17-19,  on  the  love  of  Christ." 


136  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

Although  during  these  excursions  his  ser- 
mons and  addresses  attracted  immense  crowds 
in  almost  every  place  he  visited,  his  popularity- 
appeared  to  have  exercised  no  injurious  effects 
upon  his  mind.  His  habitual  devotion,  his  sin- 
gular simplicity,  and  unfeigned  humility,  pre- 
served him  from  the  ensnaring  tendency  of 
human  applause.  "  No  man,"  says  Mr.  Grim- 
shawe,  "more  uniformly  abstained  from  the  lan- 
guage of  praise  toward  others,  or  discouraged 
it  more  unreservedly  toward  himself." 

In  the  course  of  his  travels  he  had  frequent 
opportunities  of  gratifying  his  taste  for  natural 
scenery,  which  were  also  made  occasions  for 
elevating  his  heart  to  God  ;  for,  like  most  good 
men,  he  loved  to  trace  the  hand  of  the  Creator 
in  his  works.  On  this  subject  he  has  the  fol- 
lowing reflections  : — 

"  There  is  a  peculiar  sweetness  in  the  recol- 
lection of  those  hours  which  we  have  spent 
with  friends  of  a  kindred  spirit,  amidst  the 
beauties  of  created  nature.  The  Christian  can 
alone  find  that  congeniality  in  associates,  who 
not  only  possess  a  lively  and  cultivated  sense 
of  the  high  beauty  which  landscape  scenery 
presents  to  the  eye ;  but  who  can  also  see  cre- 
ation's God  in  every  feature  of  the  prospect. 
The  painter  can  iniitate,  the  poet  describe,  and 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  137 

the  tourist  talk  with  ecstasy  of  the  sublime 
and  beautiful  objects  which  constitute  the 
scene  before  him.  But  he  only  can  be  said  to 
enjoy  them  aright,  whose  talents,  taste,  and 
affections,  are  consecrated  to  the  glory  of  Him 
by  whom  '  all  things  were  made,  and  without 
whom  was  not  any  thing  made  that  was  made.' 
When  the  pencil  that  traces  the  rich  and  ani- 
mated landscape  of  mountains,  lakes,  and  trees, 
is  guided  by  a  grateful  heart  as  well  as  by  a 
skilful  hand;  then  the  picture  becomes  no  less 
an  acceptable  offering  to  God,  than  it  is  a 
source  of  well-directed  pleasure  to  the  mind  of 
man.  And  when  the  poet,  in  harmonious  num- 
bers, makes  hill  and  dale  responsive  to  his  song, 
happy  is  it  if  his  heart  be  in  unison  with  the 
harp  of  David,  and  if  he  can  call  on  all  created 
nature  to  join  in  one  universal  chorus  of  grati- 
tude and  praise.  The  Christian  traveller  best 
enjoys  scenes  like  these.  In  every  wonder,  he 
sees  the  hand  that  made  it ; — in  every  land- 
scape, the  bounty  that  adorns  it ; — in  rivers, 
fields,  and  forests,  the  Providence  that  minis- 
ters to  the  wants  of  man  ; — in  every  surround- 
ing object,  he  sees  an  emblem  of  his  own  spirit- 
ual condition  ; — himself  a  stranger  and  a  pil- 
grim, journeying  on  through  a  country  of  won- 
ders   and   beauties ;   alternately   investigating, 


138  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

admiring,  and  praising  the  work  of  his  Maker, 
and  anticipating  a  holy  and  happy  eternity,  to 
be  spent  in  the  paradise  of  God,  where  the 
prospects  are  ever  new,  and  the  landscapes 
never  fade  from  the  sight !" 

Amid  all  his  labours  and  joiirneyings  he  was 
never  forgetful  of  his  own  household.  The  let- 
ters which  he  wrote  to  his  children  during  his 
absence  from  home  are  characterized  by  paren- 
tal tenderness  and  Christian  fidelity.  The  fol- 
lowing was  addressed  to  one  of  his  daughters : — 

"  October,  1815. 

"  My  Dear  Child, — This  may  probably  reach 
you  on  your  birth-day.  It  is  a  day  which  should 
remind  you  of  the  importance  of  time,  and  the 
swift  approach  of  eternity.  It  bids  you  remem- 
ber your  Creator  in  the  days  of  your  youth. 
But  have  you  ever  done  so  aright  ?  Have  you 
ever  seen  yourself  a  sinner,  and  gone  to  the 
blood  of  Christ  for  pardon  1  Forms  and  notions 
never  yet  saved  a  soul ;  and  have  you,  indeed, 
ever  gone  further  than  forms  and  notions  1  My 
child,  be  in  earnest ;  it  is  no  trifle  whether  you 
have  real  grace  or  not :  it  is  every  thing  to  as- 
certain this  point,  and  to  act  upon  it.  Do  you 
feel  a  burden  of  sin  for  daily  offences  1 — do  you 
repent  ? — do  you  pray  from  the  heart  ?  Suppose 
God  were  to  see  good  to  bring  you  to  a  bed  of 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  139 

death,  where  are  your  evidences  that  you  are 
really  his  child  ?  Think  in  how  many  ways  you 
have  offended  him  in  thought,  word,  and  deed  ? 
What  but  a  Saviour's  blood  can  wipe  the  guilt 
away  ? 

"  It  is  full  time,  my  dear  Fanny,  that  you 
show  a  decision  of  character,  in  that  humble, 
yet  determined  separation  of  life,  which  distin- 
guishes a  common  (alas !  too  common)  nomi- 
nally Christian  child,  from  a  child  that  believes 
in  Christ,  loves  God,  and  is  taught  by  the  Holy 
Spirit. 

"  Secret,  free  prayer,  is  a  great  testimony 
that  a  work  of  grace  is  begun.  But  do  you 
thus  pray  ?  Have  you  found  out  the  sins  into 
which  you  are  most  liable  to  fall,  and  most 
easily  tempted  to  commit  ?  These  are  your 
bosom  foes,  and  must  be  resisted  in  a  different 
strength  from  any  which  you  naturally  possess. 
That  strength  is  only  to  be  obtained  in  Christ, 
and  by  believing  in  him  and  him  alone.  Grace, 
free  grace,  reigns  in  every  step  of  the  Christian 
progress.  Do  you  ever  feel  these  things  as  a 
matter  of  uneasiness,  or  desire,  or  hope, or  fear? 
It  will  not  satisfy  me,  and  I  hope  it  will  not 
satisfy  you,  that  you  have  had  so  many  advan- 
tages of  a  Christian  education,  unless  you  prove 
to  yourself  and  me,  that  there  is  a  work  of  the 


140  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

Spirit  in  your  heart.  What  a  delightful  display 
the  Lord  gave  us  of  his  goodness  and  power, 
when  that  dear  and  beloved  woman,  your  mother 
and  my  wife,  (it  is  my  highest  earthly  privilege  to 
call  her  so,)  lay,  as  we  thought,  on  the  bed  of 
death  !  You  cannot  have  forgotten  it ; — no  one 
that  saw  it  ever  could.  But  that  day  was  a 
warning  and  a  consolation  for  us ! — O  may  we 
use  it  as  both.  But  do  not  deceive  yourself, — 
mere  natural  feelings  and  meltings  of  heart  are 
not  enough.  Sin,  sin  is  the  great  cause  of  sor- 
row ;  and  therefore  must  you  weep.  Carry  sin 
to  Jesus,  he  will  hide  it  for  ever  from  his  Fa- 
ther's sight.  Angels  rejoice  when  children 
weep  for  sin. 

"  Read  '  Little  Jane  !'  Two  Sunday  scholars 
at  Manchester  have  been  converted  to  God  this 
summer  by  reading  it ; — and  must  my  own  dear 
child  heed  it  not?  I  trust  not.  Pray,  dear 
Fanny,  for  faith  and  love  to  the  Saviour.  Happy 
shall  I  be  to  hear  from  yourself,  (when  it  does 
indeed  come  from  your  heart,)  either  by  letter 
or  word  of  mouth,  that  you  feel  a  true  concern 
for  your  never-dying  soul. 

"  Love  to  my  dear  Henrietta. 

"  From  her  and  your  truly  affectionate  fa- 
ther." 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  141 


CHAPTER  X. 

LETTER     OF   ADVICE    TO    HIS     DAUGHTERS,    ON 
VARIOUS    IMPORTANT    SUBJECTS. 

The  following  letter,  or,  as  Mr.  Richmond 
himself  terms  it,  "  Chapter  of  Admonitions," 
addressed  by  him  to  his  daughters,  contains 
such  an  amount  of  judicious,  valuable,  and 
Christian  advice,  on  a  variety  of  important 
topics,  as  fully  justifies  its  insertion  almost  en- 
tire. It  is  an  edifying  testimony  of  the  writer's 
parental  solicitude  and  love. 

"  To  my  Daughters  : — 

"  With  a  heart  full  of  affection,  I  sit  down  to 
express  a  few  sentiments  and  intimations  of 
my  wishes,  as  connected  with  your  conduct, 
in  the  course  Bf  any  journey,  or  absence  from 
home.  I  wish  each  of  you  to  preserve  a  copy 
of  it,  my  dear  children,  and  often  look  at  it ; 
take  it  with  you  when  from  home,  and  keep  it 
safe  when  at  home. 

"  Many  temptations  will  occur,- to  induce  you 
to  yield  and  conform  to  habits  and  principles, 
the  very  reverse  of  those  you  hear  me  support- 
ing, both  in  the  pulpit  and  the  parlour.  Be  not 
ashamed  of  firmlv,  though  modestly,  in  such 


142  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

cases,  resisting  them.  State  what  mine  and 
your  principles  are,  and  heed  not  the  moment- 
ary unpleasantness  of  appearing  singular,  when 
conscience  and  duty  require  it.  You  may  easily 
say,  '  My  father  does  not  approve  of  such  and 
such  things,  neither  can  I.'  No  person,  whose 
estimation  is  worth  having,  will  think  the  worse 
of  you  for  such  instances  of  mild,  but  decisive 
firmness. 

"  All  descriptions  of  public  amusements,  no- 
vels, popular  amorous  poems,  plays,  songs, 
vanities,  and  finery,  and  all  the  sad  tribe  of 
poisonous  and  dangerous  pursuits,  should  be 
regulated  by  this  principle  ;  and  O,  that  your 
own  simplicity  and  love  to  Christ  may  never 
give  way  to  one  sad  influence  of  false  senti- 
ment, even  among  those  whom,  on  other  ac- 
counts, we  may  esteem  and  regard.  The  half- 
religious  are  often  more  dangerous  than  those 
who  are  less  so ;  because,  we  are  more  on  our 
guard  in  the  latter  case  than  the  former.  The 
great  number  of  instances  in  which  I  have  seen 
the  young  people  of  religious  families  deeply 
injured  in  their  spirits  and  habits  by  much 
visiting  with  persons  of  different  views  and 
customs  from  those  of  their  own  household, 
has  made  me,  I  confess,  from  pure  motives  of 
conscience  and  prudence,  very  averse  to  much 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOxVD.  143 

of  that  sort  of  visiting  in  my  own  children's 
case,  which  I  know  to  have  been  productive 
of  bad  consequences  in  others.  And  the  diffi- 
culty of  drawing  the  line  has  always  appeared 
very  great  with  my  numerous  friends  and  ac- 
quaintance. Still,  I  wish  to  make  you  happy 
in  every  reasonable  way ;  and  I  am  glad  to  give 
you  the  advantage  of  new  scenes  and  company, 
when  they  are  of  the  right  sort.  I  know  many 
families,  and  you  know  a  few,  where,  perhaps, 
the  parents  are  religious,  but  their  young  peo- 
ple are  very  imperfectly,  if  at  all  so ;  in  such 
cases,  you  may,  from  equality  of  age,  be  thrown 
much  more  into  the  light,  frivolous,  and  objec- 
tionable conversation  of  the  younger,  instead  of 
the  more  useful  communications  of  the  elders 
of  the  family.  Here,  often,  there  is  danger ; 
ever  prefer  and  choose  those,  of  whatever  age, 
in  whom  you  think  you  discover  a  holy,  seri- 
ous, benevolent,  consistent  way  of  acting  and 
speaking. 

"A  young  professor  of  religion  has  not,  in 
most  instances,  so  difficult  a  task  to  sustain, 
when  in  conversation  with  those  of  a  decidedly 
religious  deportment,  as  with  worldly  persons, 
and  those  who  can  scarcely  be  ranked  as  con- 
sistently serious,  although  often  to  be  met  with 
in  religious  parties.     If,  however,  your  con- 


144  LIFE   OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

science  be  correct,  you  will  see  more  and  more 
the  duty  of  acting  and  speaking  aright,  and  you 
must  ever  pray  for  grace  to  direct  and  govern 
you.  Difficulties  and  dangers  of  this  kind 
greatly  multiply  when  those  who,  from  rela- 
tionship and  family  regard,  stand  very  near  to 
natural  love  and  affection,  are,  nevertheless,  in 
great  measure  strangers  to  the  power  of  true 
religion,  and,  therefore,  mingle  with  the  world 
wholly,  pursue  its  pleasures,  and  support  its 
customs.  I  entreat  you  to  be  much  on  your 
guard  in  all  such  cases.  Decays  in  religious 
feeling  and  conduct  continually  arise  from  this 
source,  and  endanger  the  temporal,  spiritual, 
and  eternal  welfare  of  many  a  hopeful  family. 
"  I  will  now  add  some  remarks,  placed  under 
select  heads,  which  may  make  them  more  con- 
spicuous, and  better  remembered :  and  may 
God  render  them  useful  to  you !  Keep  them 
constantly  with  you,  and  let  them  be  always 
read  over,  at  least,  once  a  Aveek. 

AMUSEMENTS. 

"  Plays,  balls,  public  concerts,  cards,  private 
dances,  &c.,  &;c. 

"  Serious,  consistent  Christians,  must  be 
against  these  things,  because  the  dangerous 
spirit  of  the  world  and  the  flesh  is  in  them  all : 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  145 

they  are  the  '  pomps  and  vanities  of  this  wicked 
world,'  so  solemnly  renounced  at  bapusm.  To 
be  conformed  to  these  seductive  and  more  than 
frivolous  scenes,  is  to  be  conformed  to  this 
world,  or  to  be  opposed  to  the  character  and 
precepts  of  Christ.  They  that  see  no  harm  in 
these  things  are  spiritually  blind  ;  and  they  who 
will  not  hear  admonition  against  them  are  spi- 
ritually deaf.  Shun,  my  girls,  the  pleasures  of 
sin,  and  seek  those  which  are  at  God's  right 
hand  for  evermore.     You  cannot  love  both. 

"  Blessed  be  God,  you  have  been  kept  far 
from  those  who  make  such  recreations  their 
idols  to  wean  their  hearts  from  God.  Never, 
in  any  conversation,  speak  lightly  or  triflingly 
of  these  subjects,  as  if  you  had  not  imbibed 
proper  sentiments  concerning  them. 

BOOKS. 

"  Characters  are  speedily  discerned  by 
their  choice  of  books. — Novels  in  prose,  I 
need  not  now  forbid ;  ignorant  as  you  are  of 
their  bad  tendency  by  experience,  you,  I  am 
persuaded,  trust  me  on  that  head,  and  will  never 
sacrifice  time,  aflection,  or  attention  to  them. 
But  bew^are  of  novels  in  verse.  Poets  are  more 
dangerous  than  prose  writers,  when  their  prin- 
ciples are  bad.  Were  Lord  Byron  no  better 
10 


146  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

poet  than  he  is  a  man,  he  might  have  done  little 
harm  ;  but  when  a  bad  man  is  a  good  poet,  and 
makes  his  good  poetry  the  vehicle  of  his  bad 
sentiments,  he  does  mischief  by  wholesale.* 
Do  not  be  ashamed  of  having  never  read  the 
fashionable  poem  of  the  day.  A  Christian  has 
no  time,  and  should  have  no  inclination  for  any 
reading  that  has  no  real  tendency  to  improve 
the  heart. 

"  The  finest  rule  I  ever  met  with  in  regard 
to  the  choice  of  books,  is  this  : — '  Books  are 
good  or  bad  in  their  eflects,  as  they  make  us 
relish  the  word  of  God  the  more  or  the  less 
after  we  have  read  them.'  There  are  too  many 
valuable  books  on  a  variety  of  subjects,  which 
ought  to  be  read,  to  allow  of  time  to  be  dedi- 
cated to  unworthy  and  useless  ones. 

MUSIC. 

"  Shun  all  the  wretched  folly  and  cor- 
ruption of  light,  silly,  and  amorous  songs, 
on  the  same  principle  that  you  would  shun 
books  of  the  same  nature.    Sacred  music  is  the 

*  "  Lord  Byron's  writings,"  said  Mr.  Richmond,  "will 
be  a  lasting  bane  to  the  country,  and  must  continue  to  in- 
jure religion  so  long  as  infidelity,  blasphemy,  and  vice  can 
obtain  circulation  and  popularity  when  clothed  and  armed 
with  the  splendours  of  great  genius  and  talent.'' 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  147 

true  refuge  of  the  Christian  musician.  I  wish 
your  ears,  your  hearts,  and  your  tongues  were 
oftener  tuned  to  such  melodies.  The  playhouse, 
the  opera,  and  the  concert-room  have  deluged 
the  world  with  the  abuses  of  the  heavenly  art 
of  music.  Music  was  designed  to  lead  the  soul 
to  heaven,  but  the  corruption  of  man  has  greatly 
perverted  the  merciful  intention.  Do  not  you 
belong  to  such  perverters,  nor  seem  to  take 
pleasure  in  those  who  do. 

DRESS. 

"  Aim  at  great  neatness  and  simplicity. 
Shun  finery  and  show.  Be  not  in  haste  to 
follow  new  fashions.  Remember,  that  with  re- 
gard to  dress.  Christians  ought  to  be  decidedly 
plainer,  and  less  showy  than  the  people  of  the 
world. 

BEHAVIOUR   IN  COMPANY. 

"  Be  cheerful,  but  not  gigglers.  Be  serious, 
but  not  dull.  Be  communicative,  but  not  for- 
ward.    Be  kind,  but  not  servile. 

"  Beware  of  silly,  thoughtless  speeches : 
although  you  may  forget  them,  others  will  not. 
Remember  God's  eye  is  in  everyplace,  and  his 
ear  in  every  company. 

"  Beware  of  levity  and  familiarity  with  young 
men ;  a  modest  reserve,  without  affectation,  is 


148  LIFE  OF   LEGH   RICHMOND. 

the  only  safe  path — grace  is  needful  here  ;  ask 
for  it ;  you  know  Avhere. 

JOURNEYINGS. 

"  Cultivate  knowledge  as  you  travel : — His- 
tory, antiquities, — in  cities,  towns,  churches, 
castles,  ruins,  &c. ;  natural  liistory, — in  plants, 
earth,  stones,  minerals,  animals,  (fee;  pictur- 
esque taste, — in  landscape  scenery  and  all  its 
boundless  combinations. 

"  Cultivate  good-humoured  contentment,  in 
all  the  little  inconveniences  incident  to  inns, 
roads,  weather,  &c. 

"  Cultivate  a  deep  and  grateful  sense  of  the 
power,  wisdom,  and  goodness  of  God,  in  crea- 
tion and  providence,  as  successively  presented 
to  your  notice  from  place  to  place. 

"  Keep  diaries  and  memoranda  of  daily 
events,  places,  persons,  objects,  conversations, 
sermons,  public  meetings, beauties,  wonders  and 
mercies,  as  you  travel.     Be  minute  and  faithful. 

"  Ask  many  questions  of  such  as  can  afford 
useful  information  as  to  what  you  see. 

"Write  your  diary  daily; — delays  are  very 
prejudicial.  You  owe  a  diary  to  yourself,  to 
your  friends  left  at  home,  and  to  your  father, 
who  gives  you  the  pleasure  and  profit  of  the 
journey. 


LIFE  or  LEGH   RICHMOND.  149 

PRAYER. 

"  Strive  to  preserve  a  praying  mind  through 
the  day;  not  only  at  the  usual  and  stated  peri- 
ods, but  everywhere,  and  at  all  times,  and  in 
all  companies.  This  is  your  best  preservative 
against  error,  weakness,  and  sin. 

"  Always  remember  you  are  in  the  midst  of 
temptations ;  and  never  more  so,  than  when  most 
pleased  with  outward  objects  and  intercourse. 

"  Pray  and  watch  ;  for  if  the  spirit  be  will- 
ing, yet  the  flesh  is  deplorably  weak. 

RELIGION. 

"  Keep  ever  in  mind,  that  you  have  a  reli- 
gious profession  to  sustain ;  and  this  both  in 
serious  and  worldly  company.  Be  firm  and 
consistent  in  them  both.  Pray  to  be  preserved 
from  errors,  follies,  and  oflences,  which  bring 
an  evil  name  upon  the  ways  of  God.  You  may 
sometimes  hear  ridicule,  prejudice,  and  cen- 
sure, assail  the  friends  of  true  religion — it  ever 
was,  and  will  be  so  :  '  but  blessed  are  they 
who  are  persecuted  for  righteousness'  sake, 
for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'  Be  not 
ashamed  of  Christ  here,  and  he  will  not  be 
ashamed  of  you  hereafter. 

"  Court  and  encourage  serious  conversation 
with  those  who  are  truly  serious  and  conversi- 


150  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

ble ;  and  do  not  go  into  valuable  company 
without  endeavouring  to  improve  by  the  inter- 
course permitted  to  you.  Nothing  is  more  un- 
becoming, when  one  part  of  a  company  is  en- 
gaged in  profitable  and  interesting  conversation, 
than  that  another  part  should  be  trifling,  gig- 
gling, and  talking  comparative  nonsense  to  each 
other. 

"  Ever  show  the  interest  which  you  take  in 
the  subjects  of  schools  for  the  poor,  the  distri- 
bution of  tracts,  the  Bible  and  Missionary  So- 
cieties, and  all  those  important  topics  which  so 
deeply  occupy  the  people  of  God  :  and  when  you 
can  find  a  congenial  friend,  talk  of  heaven  and 
eternity,  and  your  soul  and  your  Saviour.  This 
will  be  as  a  shield  to  your  head  and  your  heart. 

ESTIMATE  OF  CHARACTERS. 

"  Look  first  for  grace.  Do  not  disesteem 
good  people  on  account  of  their  foibles,  or  de- 
ficiencies in  matters  of  little  importance.  Gold 
unpolished  is  far  more  valuable  than  the  bright- 
est brass.  Never  form  unfavourable  opinions 
of  religious  people  hastily, — '  Charity  hopeth 
all  things.'  Prize  those  families  where  you 
find  constant  family  prayer ;  and  suspect  evil 
and  danger,  where  it  is  avowedly  unknown  and 
unpractised.    Always  remember  the  astonishing 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  151 

difference  between  the  true  followers  of  Jesus, 
and  the  yet  unconverted  world,  and  prize  them 
accordingly,  whatever  he  their  rank  in  society. 

"  Gentility  and  piety  form  a  happy  union ; 
but  poverty  and  piety  are  quite  as  acceptable 
in  the  eyes  of  God, — and  so  they  ought  to  be 
in  ours.  Not  only  are  the  poor  far  more  in 
actual  number  than  the  rich,  but  experience 
proves  that  the  proportionate  number  of  the 
truly  serious  among  the  poor  is  much  greater 
than  the  corresponding  proportion  of  numbers 
among  the  rich.  Take  one  thousand  poor  and 
one  hundred  rich  ;  you  will  probably  find  ten 
of  the  latter  serious :  but  two  hundred  of  the 
former  shall  be  so  at  the  same  time. 

"  Beware  of  the  critical  hearing  of  sermons 
preached  by  good  men.  It  is  an  awful  thing 
to  be  occupied  in  balancing  the  merits  of  a 
preacher,  instead  of  the  demerits  of  yourself. 
Consider  every  opportunity  of  hearing  as  a 
message  sent  you  from  heaven.  For  all  the 
sermons  you  have  heard,  you  will  have  to  ren- 
der an  account  at  the  last  day. 

PARENTS. 

^'  Seek  to  make  them  happy  in  you. 
*'  If  you  perceive  that  any  thing  in  your  ways 
makes  them  otherwise,  you  ought  to  have  no 


152  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

peace  until  you  have  corrected  it :  and  if  you 
find  yourself  indifferent  or  insensible  to  their 
will  and  wishes,  depend  upon  it  yours  is  a  car- 
nal, disobedient^  ungrateful  heart.  If  you  love 
them,  keep  their  commandments ;  otherwise 
love  is  a  mere  word  in  the  mouth,  or  a  notion 
in  the  fancy,  but  not  a  ruling  principle  in  the 
heart.  They  know  much  o^  the  world,  you 
very  little :  trust  them  therefore,  when  they 
differ  from  you  and  refuse  compliance  with 
your  desires, — they  watch  over  you  for  God, 
and  are  entitled  to  great  deference  and  cheerful 
obedience.  You  may  easily  shorten  the  lives 
of  affectionate  and  conscientious  parents  by 
misconduct,  bad  tempers,  and  alienation  from 
their  injunctions.  Let  not  this  sin  be  laid  tO' 
your  charge. 

"  I  shall  add  no  more  at  present,  than  that  I 
am  your  affectionate  father, 

"  L,  Richmond," 


LIFE  OF    LEGH    RICHMOND.  153 


CHAPTER  XI. 

MR.  RICHMOND'S    DOMESTIC   AFFLICTIONS.      PAR- 
TICULARS   RESPECTING    HIS  ELDEST  SON, 

A  COURSE  of  uninterrupted  happiness  was 
never  yet  the  portion  of  one  of  our  race.  Even 
the  most  eminent  of  God's  servants  are  conti- 
nually meeting  with  occurrences  that  remind 
them  of  the  uncertain  tenure  of  all  earthly 
hopes  and  possessions,  and  admonish  them 
that  this  is  not  their  rest.  "  Man,"  said  one 
of  old,  "  is  born  to  trouble,"  and  universal  ex- 
perience confirms  the  truth  of  the  declaration. 
In  this  respect,  indeed,  "  one  event  happeneth 
to  all," — to  the  righteous  as  well  as  the  wicked  ; 
with  this  difference,  however,  that  the  former 
in  all  their  affliction  have  a  never-failing  source 
of  consolation  which  the  latter  know  nothing 
of.  "  In  the  world,"  said  our  Lord  to  his  sor- 
rowing disciples,  "ye  shall  have  tribulation, 
but  in  ME  ye  shall  have  peace." 

Although  in  this  particular  Mr.  Richmond 
was  favoured  beyond  many,  yet  his  path  through 
life  was  far  from  being  a  thornless  one. 

In  the  year  1814  he  was  greatly  afflicted 
by  the  serious  illness  of  his  wife,  which   as- 


154  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

sumed  such  an  alarming  character  that,  after 
the  utmost  exertion  of  medical  skill,  her  reco- 
very was  declared  to  be  hopeless.  In  expecta- 
tion of  her  immediate  dissolution  she  had  taken 
leave  of  all  the  members  of  her  family.  Mr. 
Richmond,  in  writing  to  a  friend  at  the  time, 
says,  "  I  never  witnessed  such  a  triumph  of 
grace  :  it  has  shone  more  bright  than  the  ten- 
derest  hope  could  have  expected.  Jesus  bore 
her  through  the  most  painful  and  affecting  scene 
more  than  triumphantly.  Her  manner  of  taking 
leave  of  me  and  our  eight  children  around  her 
bed  was  more  striking  than  you  can  conceive 
or  I  can  describe." 

Mr.  GrimshaM^e,  who,  with  a  (ew  other  inti- 
mate friends,  was  permitted  to  see  her  on  this 
occasion,  says,  "  On  entering  the  room  to  pay 
this  mournful  visit,  I  was  surprised  to  see  an 
expression  of  joyful  feeling  in  the  countenance 
of  the  wife,  and  a  calm  and  delightful  serenity 
depicted  in  that  of  the  husband.  I  could  not 
help  exclaiming,  '  Is  this  the  chamber  of 
death  V  Death  was  so  stripped  of  its  terrors, 
and  religion  so  surrounded  with  all  its  consola- 
tions, that  the  place  looked  more  like  the  portal 
of  heaven  than  the  gloomy  vestibule  of  the 
tcmb.  The  triumph  of  faith  in  the  dying  wife 
seemed  to  support  the  otherwise  afflicted  hus- 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  155 

band,  and  to  impart  to  him  a  corresponding 
elevation  of  feeling.  He  forgot  for  the  moment 
his  own  sorrows  in  her  joys  ;  his  own  loss  in 
her  gain ;  and  did  not  wish  to  arrest  her  ex- 
pected flight  to  the  world  of  happy  spirits,  or 
indulge  his  grief  while  she  was  rejoicing  in  the 
mercies  of  redeeming  love." 

The  affectionate  sympathy  of  Mr.  Richmond's 
parishioners  at  this  trying  season  deserves  to 
be  mentioned.  The  most  fervent  prayers  had 
been  offered  up  daily  for  the  recovery  of  Mrs. 
Richmond ;  and  those  prayers  were  heard. 
Contrary  to  all  human  expectation,  the  symp- 
toms of  the  disorder  abated,  and  her  life  was 
spared.  It  seemed  as  if  she  had  entered  into 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death, — explored 
all  its  secret  recesses, — penetrated  to  its  utmost 
confines,  and  seen  the  light  which  could  alone 
dispel  all  its  darkness  ;  and  then, — led  by  the 
hand  of  Him  who  says,  "  I  kill,  and  I  make 
alive  :  I  wound,  and  I  heal ;" — she  once  more 
returned  to  the  days  of  her  pilgrimage,  and  sur- 
vived to  follow  to  the  grave  the  husband,  who 
thirteen  years  before  had  resigned  her  to  the 
mercy  of  his  God. 

Mr.  Richmond  was  also  long  and  sorely  tried 
by  the  untoward  conduct  of  Nugent,  his  eldest 
son,  who,  through  the  corrupting  influence  of 


156  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

an  unprincipled  associate,  to  whom  he  had  at- 
tached himself  at  school,  was  unhappily  drawn 
aside  from  the  path  of  virtue  and  piety.  He 
ran  away  from  the  school,  and  spent  his  time 
in  dissipation  with  the  young  farmers  in  the 
neighbourhood.  Parental  expostulation,  en- 
treaties, and  prayers  appearing  to  produce  no 
effect  upon  him,  it  became  necessary  to  remove 
the  bad  example  from  the  family ;  and  as  the 
youth,  now  sixteen  years  of  age,  was  unwilling 
to  settle  at  any  useful  employment,  and  had  a 
strong  inclination  for  a  seafaring  life,  his  father, 
not  without  great  reluctance,  yielded  to  the 
advice  of  his  friends,  and  procured  for  him  a 
situation  in  the  Arniston,  a  merchant  vessel 
bound  to  Ceylon.  This  was  not  done  with  the 
design  of  fixing  him  permanently  in  a  seafaring 
life,  but  merely  to  try  what  effect  employment 
and  a  temporary  absence  from  home  might  have 
in  reclaiming  him.  The  ship  was  expected  to 
return  in  two  years. 

To  Mr.  Richmond,  whose  feelings  both  as  a 
Christian  and  a  parent  were  peculiarly  deep  and 
tender,  the  misconduct  of  his  son  was  a  trial 
of  the  severest  kind.  He  was  his  first-born, — 
whom  in  his  earliest  infancy  he  had  fondly  de- 
voted to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  whose 
education  had  been  conducted  with  a  view  to 


LIFE  OF   LEGH    RICHMOND.  157 

his  engaging  in  that  sacred  office.*  But  these 
hopes  were  now  doomed  to  bitter  disappoint- 
ment :  the  plant  was  blighted  in  the  bud. 

Mr.  Richmond  met  his  son  at  Deptford,  and 
again  at  Portsmouth,  when  the  vessel  arrived 
there.  He  urged  whatever  affection  and  duty 
could  suggest ;  prayed  with  and  for  him  ;  and 
after  presenting  him  with  a  Bible,  which  he 
conjured  him  carefully  to  peruse,  and  a  paper 

*  There  was  nothing  censurable  in  Mr.  Richmond's 
wish  that  his  son  should  enter  the  ministry  ;  but  consider- 
ing the  peculiar  character  and  -  requirements  of  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  it  may  be  doubted  whether  it  would  not  be 
more  consistent  that  the  designation  of  a  young  person  to 
that  sacred  profession  should  follow,  rather  than  precede, 

a  discovery  of  fitness  for  it It  is  an  error,  not 

"uncommon  even  among  religious  parents,  to  select  the 
ministry  for  the  future  occupation  of  their  children  on  the 
general  grounds  of  correct  conduct  and  amiable  disposi- 
tions. God  has  taken  into  his  own  hand  the  work  of  the 
sanctuary  ;  when  he  calls  and  separates  by  his  Spirit,  we 
may  co-operate  with  his  purposes,  and  supply  materials 
and  tools  for  his  workmen  ;  but  it  is  seldom  desirable  to 
anticipate  the  divine  will  on  this  head,  or  forget  that  there 
must  be,  not  only  a  real  conversion  of  heart  to  God,  but  a 
peculiar  aptness  for  the  work  to  justify  an  entrance  in  the 
sacred  calling. 

Such  was  Mr.  Richmond's  judgment  in  after  life  ;  and 
his  tender  mind  sometimes  reverted  to  his  disappointment 
in  poor  Nugent's  delinquencies,  as  a  rebuke  for  his  pre- 
sumption.— Domestic  Portraiture. 


158  LIFE  OF  LEGH    RICHMOND, 

of  admonitions  and  instructions  for  his  conduct, 
he  committed  him  to  that  God  who  has  said, 
"  I  will  pour  my  Spirit  upon  thy  seed,  and  my 
blessing  on  thine  offspring."  He  witnessed  the 
departure  of  the  vessel,  and  lingered  on  the 
shore  till  its  white  sails  were  no  longer  dis- 
cernible.    They  saw  each  other  no  more. 

Mr.  Richmond's  feelings  on  ^his  occasion 
are  thus  described  in  a  communication  written 
some  years  after : — "  As  I  stood  on  the  shore 
of  the  Isle  of  Wight  in  the  summer  of  1814, 
and  watched  with  a  father's  eye,  and  a  father's 
heart,  the  departure  of  the  ship  which  con- 
tained my  child,  I  mused  over  the  past,  the 
present,  and  the  future,  until  the  shadows  of 
the  night  interrupted  my  view.  One  moment 
suggested,  '  my  child  will  soon  be  afar  off;' 
the  next,  as  it  were,  replied,  but  '  the  promise 
is  unto  you  and  to  your  children,  and  to  as 
many  as  are  afar  off.'  The  thought  consoled 
me  as  I  returned  homeward,  and  I  prayed  for 
my  little  ones,  that  God  would  speak  peace  to 
him  who  was  "  afar  off,"  and  to  "  them  that  are 
nigh." 

The  errors  of  Nugent  appear  to  have  been 
the  result  of  a  thoughtless  and  yielding  dispo- 
sition, rather  than  of  a  deep-rooted  and  vicious 
propensity ;  he  sincerely  loved  his  father,  and 


LIFE    OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  159 

preserved  to  the  last,  vvith  a  kind  of  religious 
veneration,  the  parting  testimonies  of  his  re- 
gard. He  had  not  been  long  at  sea  before  he 
began  deeply  to  repent  of  the  follies  which  had 
rendered  it  necessary  to  remove  him  from  home. 
He  Avrote  to  his  father  two  letters  during  the 
voyage,  and  a  third  on  his  arrival  at  Ceylon, 
which  he  reached  in  January,  1815.  In  these 
letters  he  manifested  the  sincerest  regret  for 
his  past  conduct,  and  expressed  a  hope  that  he 
might  yet  prove  a  consolation  to  his  parents. 
The  period  of  his  return  was  looked  forward  to 
with  pleasing  anticipation.  His  father  longed 
to  welcome  home  the  poor  wanderer,  and  min- 
gle his  tears  with  those  of  his  child,  saying, 
"  This  my  son  was  dead  and  is  alive  again,  was 
lost  and  is  found."  But  these  fond  hopes  were 
not  to  be  realized. 

In  the  spring  of  1816  Mrs.  Richmond  was 
once  more  brought  near  to  the  gates  of  death, 
but  was  graciously  raised  up  again,  and  her 
valuable  life  spared  to  her  family  and  friends. 
During  her  illness  the  case  of  her  exiled  son 
was  much  upon  her  mind,  and  she  wrestled  in 
earnest  and  believing  prayer  for  his  soul  to  be 
reconciled  to  God. 

Not  long  after  Mrs.  Richmond's  recovery, 
intelligence  was  brought,  by  a  vessel  from  the 


160  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

Cape  of  Good  Hope,  that  the  Arniston,  while 
on  her  voyage  home,  had  been  wrecked  in  a 
dreadful  storm  near  the  Cape,  and  there  was 
reason  to  believe  that  all  on  board  had  perished. 
Still,  no  official  intelligence  had  been  received  ; 
and  the  mind  of  Mr.  Richmond  and  his  family- 
were  kept  in  the  most  painful  suspense.  Au- 
thentic information  at  length  came,  that  the 
vessel  was  wrecked  near  Cape  Lagullas,  on 
the  thirtieth  of  May,  and  that  of  three  hundred 
and  sixty  persons  who  were  on  board  only  six 
were  saved  ;  the  names  of  these  were  speci- 
fied, and  Mr.  Richmond's  son  was  not  among 
the  number. 

On  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence  the  whole 
family  went  into  mourning.  How  their  minds 
were  sustained  under  the  trial  will  appear  by 
the  following  account,  extracted  from  letters 
written  at  the  time  by  Mr.  Richmond  : — 

"  I  was  prepared  by  contradictory  reports,  for 
some  weeks  past,  to  meet  the  confirmation  of 
this  sad  catastrophe,  and  so  was  my  dear  wife 
in  a  measure  :  but  last  Saturday  morning,  as 
we  and  the  three  elder  girls  were  breakfasting 
at  Mr.  Livius's,  at  Bedford,  the  newspaper, 
containing  the  whole  melancholy  narrative,  was 
taken  up  by  my  wife,  and  she  instantly  and 
suddenly  saw  the  account.     It  was   a  trying 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  161 

hour,  and  we  all  melted.  Nobody  but  our- 
selves can  rightly  estimate  this  trial,  because 
none  else  can  know  what  we  went  through  on 
that  poor  boy's  account.  Yet  we  feel  it  to  be  a 
great  mercy  that,  making  all  necessary  allow- 
ances for  human  defects  and  failings,  we  cannot 
reproach  ourselves  for  misconduct  toward  him. 
We  did  what  we  believed  to  be  right  and  best 
for  him,  from  his  infancy  :  the  precepts,  the 
principles,  the  instructions,  and  the  examples, 
which  we  endeavoured  to  set  before  him  were, 
to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  according  to  the 
word  of  God,  to  the  time  of  his  leaving  us. 
And  then  we  were  perfectly  satisfied  that  God, 
in  his  providence,  had  opened  the  best  and  only 
possible  way  of  avoiding  greater  evils,  when  he 
showed  us  and  our  child,  that  it  was  right  and 
necessary  he  should  choose  a  sea-life  as  his 
appointed  path.  However  contrary  to  our  for- 
mer wishes,  we  submitted  to  the  will  of  God  ; 
and  he  very  cheerfully  set  out  on  his  voyage. 
The  Lord  who  saw  good  that  this  should  be 
his  lot  and  portion,  has  forbidden  his  return 
home  again,  and  our  boy  has  gone  the  way  of 
all  flesh.  '  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath 
taken  away, — blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord.' 
But  here  is  our  hope  and  consolation.  Nearly 
eighteen  years'  prayers  have  been  unceasingly 


162  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOxND, 

offered  up  for  his  spiritual  welfare,  and  I  be- 
lieve that  none  of  those  prayers  were  unavail- 
ing. I  am  willing  to  believe  that,  in  addition 
to  all  others,  the  prayers  of  his  apparently  dy- 
ing mother,  a  fortnight  before  the  shipwreck, 
were  too  fervent  and  spiritual  not  to  avail  much 
for  her  son.  The  Lord  heard  her  for  herself; 
and  may  we  not  hope  that  he  who  says,  '  the 
promise  is  to  you  and  your  children,'  would 
have  been  for  him  likewise? — I  do  therefore 
hope,  that,  amidst  the  trials  and  wonders  of  the 
deep,  faith  and  repentance  might  be  granted  to 
our  poor  boy,  before  he  departed  hence,  and 
was  no  more  seen.  .  .  .  We  feel  a  calm 
resignation  to  the  will  of  God,  and  recognise 
evidences  of  his  covenant  love  in  the  consola- 
tions which  he  vouchsafes  us.  Nature  and 
memory  will  now  and  then  be  very  busy,  and 
we  feel  greatly.  Then  we  think  of  the  efficacy 
of  prayer,  in  connection  with  the  promise,  and 
are  strengthened  and  supported." 

Those  who  can  enter  into  the  feelings  of  the 
parents  at  this  time  may  perhaps  conceive  the 
joy  which  they  felt  when,  three  months  after- 
ward, they  received  a  letter  in  the  handwriting 
of  the  very  son  whom  they  had  all  this  time 
mourned  as  dead.  It  appeared  that  having  a 
desire  to  see  Calcutta  and  jsome  other  parts  of 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOXD.  163 

India  before  he  returned,  and  being  unable  to 
obtain  the  consent  of  the  captain  to  whom  he 
had  been  intrusted  with  direction  to  bring  him 
back  to  England,  he  had  abandoned  the  vessel 
before  she  sailed,  and  was,  at  the  time  he  wrote, 
ignorant  of  her  fate.  The  transition  of  feeling 
to  which  this  letter  gave  rise  produced  an  effect 
almost  as  overwhelming  as  that  which  the  re- 
port of  his  death  had  occasioned.  The  family 
mourning  was  laid  aside,  and  Mr.  Richmond 
trusted  he  might  recognise  in  this  signal  inter- 
position of  Providence  a  ground  for  hope  that 
his  child's  present  deliverance  was  a  pledge  of 
that  spiritual  recovery  which  only  was  now 
wanting  to  fill  up  the  measure  of  his  gratitude. 

Soon  after  leaving  the  Arniston,  Nugent  ob- 
tained a  situation  as'  an  officer  in  another 
vessel.  Of  this  appointment  he  informed  his 
father,  adding, — 

"  And  now,  my  dear  parents,  while  you  are 
living  quietly  at  home,  I  am  tossed  about  the 
stormy  ocean  in  all  weathers,  and  never  know- 
ing that  I  am  safe  a  moment.  I  hope  Wilber- 
force  will  take  warning  from  my  sad  wander- 
ings, or  he  will  never  be  happy.  Receive  my 
kind  love,  dear  father  and  mother  :  the  same  to 
my  brothers  and  sisters.  I  hope  God  will  take 
care  of  me,  forgive  and  convert  mc.    He  is  the 


164  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

best  friend  :  do  not  cease  to  pray  for  me,  and 
remember  me  still,  for  I  am  your  affectionate 
son,  Nugent  Richmond." 

We  close  this  chapter  with  an  extract  from 
another  letter  written  by  Nugent  about  two 
years  after  he  left  home  : — 

"So  the  Arniston  was  lost!  O!  merciful 
escape. — It  shocks  me  to  say,  my  dear  father, 
I  have  only  been  to  church  about  twelve  times 
since  I  left  England  ;  indeed,  sailors  scarcely 
know  what  church  is,  except  on  board  men-of- 
war,  where  there  is  a  chaplain ;  nevertheless, 
if  we  cannot  go  to  church,  we  seldom  work  on 
a  Sunday  as  hard  as  on  a  week-day ;  so  that 
I  have  time  to  read  the  Bible  and  pray.  You 
gave  me  a  Bible  when  I  left  you,  and  I  have  it 
still,  and  hope  always  to  have  it.  O  that  I 
knew  how  to  make  a  right  use  of  it !— Pray  for 
your  poor  Nugent ;  think  when  you  are  in  bed 
and  by  your  fireside,  I  am  toiling  by  day  and 
watching  by  night,  tossed  about  in  gales  of 
wind,  scared  by  storms  of  thunder,  lightning, 
and  rain,  ignorant  of  my  fate  for  a  single  hour. 

0  !  a  sailor's  life  is  wicked,  miserable,  and  de- 
plorable ;  but  this  is  all  the  fruit  of  my  sin,  and 

1  justly  deserve  my  chastisement.         N.  R." 


LIFK  OF    LEGH  RICHMOND.  165 


CHAPTER  XIL 

INTERESTING    ACCOUNT   OF   A    SPIRITUAL    CHILD 

OF  MR.  Richmond's. 

Besides  the  many  cases  of  conversion 
through  the  instrumentality  of  his  tracts,  of 
which  Mr.  Richmond  received  accounts  by  let- 
ters, he  met  with  numerous  similar  instances 
in  the  course  of  his  various  journeys.  The 
narrative  of  "  Little  Jane"  appeared  to  have 
been  rendered  remarkably  useful  to  young  per- 
sons by  whom  it  was  read.  In  the  course  of 
a  visit  to  the  north  of  England  in  the  fall  of 
1817,  he  met  with  an  instance  of  its  usefulness 
so  singularly  interesting  that  we  cannot  forbear 
relating  it  somewhat  at  length.  Mr.  Richmond 
himself  was  so  much  affected  with  it  that  he 
purposed  to  make  it  the  subject  of  another  nar- 
rative, intended  as  a  companion  to  the  "  Dairy- 
man's Daughter,"  and  the  "  Young  Cottager  ;" 
and  from  the  outline  and  materials  of  it,  which 
were  found  among  his  papers,  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  it  would,  had  he  completed  it,  have 
been  little  inferior,  either  in  interest  or  useful- 
ness, to  those  highly  honoured  memorials  of 
the  triumphs  of  divine  grace. 


166  LIFE    OF   LECxH    RICHMOND. 

The  title  of  the  projected  tract,  as  left  in  Mr. 
Richmond's  own  hand,  is  as  follows  : — 

MEMORIALS  OF  LYDIA  G , 

Of  Newcastle-upon-Tyne  ;  who  died  Feb.  14, 
3  825,  aged  seventeen  years  ;  a  spiritual  child 
of  "  Little  Jane,  the  Young  Cottager." 

From  her  infancy  Lydia  had  manifested 
what  is  called  a  good  disposition.  She  was 
never  known  to  utter  a  falsehood,  or  even  to 
stoop  to  an  equivocation. 

Her  mother  died  in  the  Lord  when  Lydia 
was  only  seven  years  of  age.  The  child's  health 
had  long  been  delicate,  and  shortly  after  her  mo- 
ther's death  a  physician  and  a  surgeon  were 
consulted,  who  agreed  that  her  case  was  a  dis- 
ease of  the  heart,  for  which  there  was  no  cure, 
but  which  might  be  somewhat  relieved  by 
bleeding.  This  mode  of  alleviation  was  accord- 
ingly resorted  to,  but  her  strength  was  thereby 
reduced  to  the  lowest  point  consistent  with  the 
continuance  of  life. 

It  was  about  this  time  that  "  The  Young 
Cottager"  was  placed  in  her  hands.  She  made 
no  remark  upon  it  ;  nor  was  any  one  aware 
that  its  perusal  had  produced  any  unusual  effect 
upon  her  mind,  until  several  months  after,  when 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  167 

Mr.  Richmond,  in  the  course  of  one  of  his  be- 
nevolent tours,  visited  Newcastle. 

Lydia's  health  was  at  this  time  in  a  most 
precarious  state.  Her  disease  rendered  quiet- 
ness and  seclusion  almost  necessary  to  the 
hourly  continuance  of  her  life.  Her  sisters 
were  led  to  hear  Mr.  Richmond  preach,  and 
they  mentioned  his  name  in  her  hearing.  Her 
attention  was  instantly  aroused,  and  she  eagerly 
exclaimed,  "  0  !  I  must  go  and  hear  him  !  He 
taught  little  Jane  the  way  to  heaven,  and  he 
will  teach  me."  Her  sister  told  her  that  she 
could  not  permit  her  to  think  of  it  that  evening, 
(Sunday,)  ill  as  she  was  ;  but  that  Mr.  Rich- 
mond was  to  preach  again  on  the  Thursday, 
when  she  might  perhaps  be  better.  "  But,"  she 
added,  "  how  will  you  be  able  to  get  there — 
you  cannot  walk  ?"  "  O  dear !"  she  answered, 
"  but  I  will  try,  and  we  will  go  by  the  by- 
ways, and  you  will  carry  me  when  I  cannot 
get  on."  In  the  interval  between  Sunday  and 
Thursday,  her  sister  remarks,  she  was  more 
careful  of  her  health,  and  anxious  to  gain 
strength,  than  young  people  usually  are  when 
expecting  to  join  a  pleasure  party.  The  sisters 
S€t  out,  and  an  idea  may  be  inferred  of  the  state 
of  Lydia's  health,  from  the  fact,  that  they  con- 
gratulated themselves  on  being  so  happy  as  to 


168  "life  of  legh  Richmond. 

reach  the  church  after  a  painful  struggle  of  an 
hour  and  a  half.  "  Now,"  says  Lydia,  "  I  must 
be  where  I  can  see  Mr.  Richmond."  In  this, 
too,  they  succeeded,  and  the  sister  expected 
that  when  the  service  was  concluded,  she 
would  contentedly  return  home ;  but  to  her 
great  surprise,  the  poor  girl's  agitation  in- 
creased, and  she  exclaimed,  "  I  must  speak  to 
him !" 

Her  sister's  astonishment  at  this  desire  was 
very  great.  Lydia,  who  was  then  under  ten 
years  of  age,  was  naturally  timid  and  bashful. 
She  was  now  in  a  weak  and  feeble  state  of 
body,  inducing  great  nervousness  ;  and  it  may 
be  judged  from  these  circumstances,  what  must 
have  been  the  ardent  feelings  of  her  soul,  which 
could  break  through  all  these  obstructions,  and 
force  her  to  seek  a  conversation  with  one  so 
far  removed  from  her,  in  age,  circumstances, 
and  education,  as  Mr.  Richmond.  "  My  dear 
Lydia,"  said  the  sister,  "I  cannot  go  to  speak 
to  him ;  and  what  would  you  say,  if  you  could 
get  to  see  him  ?"  "  O  !  I  want  so  to  talk  to 
him ;  and  you  must  go  and  speak  to  him,  and 
tell  him  so ;  I  am  sure  he  would  not  be  dis- 
pleased ;  I  know  he  would  not !" 

Her  earnest  beseeching  quite  distressed  her 
sister,  who,  not  daring  to  go  into  the  vestry  to 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  169 

Mr.  Richmond,  followed  him,  with  Lydia,  along 
the  street,  watching  for  an  opportunity  of  ad- 
dressing him.  When  his  pace  quickened,  liydia 
had  to  be  carried,  lest  he  should  get  out  of 
sight.  He  stopped  to  speak  with  some  one, 
and  on  his  parting  from  the  person,  Lydia  beg- 
ged her  sister  to  go  and  speak  to  him.  "  My 
dear,"  she  replied,  "  what  can  I  say  to  him, 
you  must  speak  to  him  yourself."  "  0  !  tell 
him,"  said  Lydia,  "  I  want  to  talk  to  him  about 
what  he  said  to  little  Jane  !"  Mr.  Richmond 
reached  his  friend's  door,  and  entered  the  house. 
Her  grief  increased,  and  she  exclaimed,  "  O  !  I 
shall  never  see  him  again, — O  !  what  shall  I 
do  !"  She  stood  opposite  the  house,  weeping, 
and  lamenting  the  loss  of  the  opportunity,  and 
was  with  difficulty  persuaded  to  leave  the  spot. 
Her  sister,  on  returning  home,  acquainted 
her  father  with  Lydia's  earnest  desire,  and  her 
grief.  He  hesitated  what  to  do;  but  at  last, 
through  the  intervention  of  a  kind  friend,  Mr. 
Richmond  was  made  acquainted  with  the  cir- 
cumstances, and  called  upon  the  little  girl.  The 
conversation  which  took  place  between  them 
must  have  been  deeply  interesting ;  but  no  re- 
cord of  it  has  been  preserved,  and  the  deficiency 
cannot  now  be  supplied,  as  both  the  parties  en- 
gaged in  it  have  left  this  lower  world,  and,  we 


170  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

may  suppose,  have  enjoyed  many  hours  of 
happy  and  holy  converse  in  the  abodes  of  bliss. 
The  following  letter,  however,  remains,  which, 
as  its  language  shows,  was  addressed  to  Lydia 
on  the  ensuing  day  : — 

^^  Durham,  November  1,  1817. 
"  My  Very  Dear  Child, — As  God  in  his 
tender  mercy  permitted  me  to  witness  for  a  lit- 
tle while,  yesterday  morning,  how  much  your 
heart  has  been  interested  in  the  story  of  my 
ever  dear  child  in  the  faith,  Little  Jane,  the 
Young  Cottager,  I  wish  to  tell  you  once  more 
how  sincerely  I  desire  that  it  may  please  our 
gracious  Saviour  to  make  you  like  unto  her. 
If  my  little  book  has  in  any  way  been  the  means 
of  stirring  up  in  your  mind  a  real  desire  to  be 
found  in  the  way  everlasting,  surely  I  may  be 
permitted  to  call  you,  in  that  respect,  one  of 
my  little  ones,  and  to  feel  for  you  something  of 
a  father's  love  and  affection.  Had  I  known 
your  wish  to  have  seen  me  sooner,  I  would 
have  gladly  come,  and  talked  to  you  more  about 
Little  Jane,  and  about  the  things  that  belong  to 
your  everlasting  peace  ; — as  it  is,  I  feel  my 
heart  strongly  inclined  to  give  you  these  few 
lines,  as  a  proof  of  my  good-will  and  true  re- 
gard for  your  soul's  welfare. 

"Our  acquaintance,  my  dear  little  girl,  has 


I.IFE  OF  LEUH   RICHMOND.  171 

been  short,  but  perhaps  both  you  and  I  feel,  as 
if  we  were  friends  in  the  Lord  already.  May 
my  prayers  for  your  salvation  and  support  in 
trials,  and  your  patience  in  suffering,  be  an- 
swered for  the  sake  of  Him  who  died  upon  the 
cross  to  save  sinners.  What  a  Saviour  is  he  ! 
O !  my  child,  seek  him,  love  him,  bless  his 
holy  name !  Think  of  him  when  you  are  in 
bodily  pain,  and  remember  how  much  greater 
were  his  pains.  Think  of  him  when  you  want 
instruction,  and  may  he  be  your  wisdom.  Think 
of  him  when  you  reflect  on  your  sins,  and  may 
he  prove  your  righteousness.  Are  you  afraid 
to  come  to  him  ?  What  ?  afraid  of  him,  who 
said,  '  Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto 
me.'  No,  my  dear  girl,  fear  not,  he  is  willing 
that  you  should  come,  for  he  is  the  way,  the 
truth,  and  the  life.  He  is  the  way  to  heaven — 
there  is  none  other;  O  !  may  you  walk  in  that 
way,  and  find  rest  to  your  soul  therein.  Little 
Jane  and  I  used  to  talk  about  heaven  and  hell, 
and  Christ,  and  sin,  and  mercy,  and  pardoning 
love,  till  our  hearts  burned  within  us ; — you 
have  read  a  little  of  our  conversations,  in  the 
Annals  of  the  Poor ;  but  that  is  only  a  small 
part  of  what  we  said  to  one  another.  I  often 
think  of  those  days  with  great  thankfulness,  and 
it  makes  me  very  glad  to  see  that  she,  though 


172  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

dead,  yet  speaketh  to  the  living  by  her  simple 
story.  Behold,  how  good  God  is !  she  died 
before  you  were  born,  yet  you  are  become  ac- 
quainted with  her,  and  can  see  how  the  Lord 
blessed  her  in  life  and  in  death.  Her  faith, 
and  love,  and  humility,  are  a  pattern  for  you, 
and  through  God's  loving  kindness,  I  hope  you 
will  be  like  her  in  these  things. 

"  You  probably  may  be  too  young  or  too  un- 
well to  write  to  me,  and  tell  me  something 
about  your  thoughts  and  feelings,  and  what  first 
made  you  feel  a  desire  to  be  saved,  and  what 
you  have  felt  when  you  read  the  story  of  the 
Young  Cottager.  I  could  wish  to  know  more 
of  your  heart,  and  what  you  think  about  sin,  and 
pardon,  and  Jesus  Christ.  But  this  perhaps 
cannot  be,  unless  some  one  should  write  for 
you;  but  then  every  word  and  thought  must 
be  your  own.  The  Lord  save  you,  my  child, 
and  give  you  the  gospel  blessing,  and  may  you 
trust  in  Christ  with  all  your  heart.  Remember 
Little  Jane,  and  in  your  prayers  remember  like- 
wise your  affectionate  friend  in  the  Lord, 

"  Legh  Richmond. 

"  Give  my  Christian  regards  to  your  sisters; 
pray  with  them,  and  may  you  all  meet  in  heaven 
at  the  last,  as  sinners  freely  saved  by  the  blood 
of  Jesus  Christ ! — Farewell,  my  dear  child." 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  173 

The  conversation  and  correspondence  of  Mr. 
Richmond  were  made  the  means  of  conveying 
true  peace  to  her  soul ;  and  she  w^as  soon  ena- 
bled to  rejoice  in  the  love  of  God. 

I>Jotwithstanding  the  rapidly  declining  state 
of  her  health  at  this  time,  Lydia  lingered 
some  years  longer  than  had  been  anticipated. 
The  following  brief  particulars  of  her  last  hours 
are  extracted  from  Mr.  Richmond's  papers  : — 

When  her  disorder  had  made  such  progress 
as  gave  warning  of  her  approaching  dissolution, 
she  was  strongly  tempted  to  believe  that  the 
work  in  her  soul  had  not  been  genuine, — that 
her  religion  had  been  too  much  that  of  a  Phari- 
see ;  but  she  soon  attained  such  a  degree  of 
comfort  as  to  be  able  to  say,  in  the  near  prospect 
of  death,  "  I  am  now  perfectly  happy,  and  would 
not  exchange  situations  with  any  one."  To 
another  friend  she  said,  "  I  have  had  a  sore 
conflict,  but  all  is  peace  now  !" 

About  an  hour  before  her  death,  a  pious  lady 
called  to  see  her,  and  prayed  with  her.  She 
was  unable  to  converse,  but  her  friend  said, 
"  My  love,  I  do  not  wish  you  to  speak  ;  but  if 
you  are  able,  tell  me,  by  holding  up  your  hand, 
whether  you  are  quite  happy."  Immediately, 
as  with  a  last  effort,  she  raised  her  half-dead 
arm  as  high  as  she  could.     Shortly  after,  the 


174  LIFE  Oi'  LEGH  RICHMOND, 

flickering  flame  of  life  rose  again,  and,  having 
tasted  nothing  for  four  and  twenty  hours,  she 
asked  for  something  to  drink.  Her  sister 
brought  it  to  her,  when  she  put  her  arms  round 
her  neck,  and  said,  "  Now  raise  me  up."  The 
last  struggle  of  nature  prompted  this  desire,  but 
on  being  moved,  her  agony  was  extreme,  and 
she  cried  out,  "  O  !  pray  that  I  may  be  suflered 
to  go  now."  Folding  her  hands  in  the  attitude 
of  prayer,  she  continued  for  about  three  minutes, 
and  then  said,  "  I  want  breath  ! — Hold  me  still ! 
— I  am  sfoins; — now  !"  and  sunk  into  her  sis- 
ter's  arms,  a  corpse. 

She  had  desired  a  little  silver  purse,  being  the 
most  valuable  thing  of  the  kind  she  possessed, 
to  be  sent  after  her  death  to  Mr.  Richmond, 
saying,  "  He  has  been  my  best  friend  on  earth  ; 
I  wish  him  to  keep  it  in  remembrance  of  me." 

The  preceding  narrative  may  perhaps  be 
considered  somewhat  of  a  digression  in  the 
present  work ;  yet  as  the  case  was  one  in 
which  Mr.  Richmond  felt  for  some  years  a 
deep  interest,  it  has  been  thought  best  to  insert 
it.  It  cannot  be  read  without  profit ;  and  we 
think  there  are  few  readers  who  will  not  deem 
it  well  worth  the  space  it  occupies. 


LIFE  OF   LEGH  RICHMOND.  175 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

MR.     RICHMOND    VISITS    SCOTLAND  ;     DEATH     OF 
HIS  MOTHER  ;    SECOND  VISIT  TO  SCOTLAND. 

In  the  summer  of  1818,  Mr.  Riclimond,  ac- 
companied by  his  eldest  daughter,  set  out  for 
Scotland,  having  previously  received  frequent 
invitations  to  visit  that  country.  Of  this  journey, 
the  immediate  object  of  which  was  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  cause  of  the  Jews'  Society, 
we  have  no  other  notices  than  a  few  letters 
addressed  to  various  members  of  his  family, 
from  which  we  take  the  following  extracts  : — 
"  Edinburgh,  July  17,  1818. 

"  My  Dear  Mary, — The  respect,  regard, 
friendship,  and  affection  with  which  both  my- 
self and  my  cause  are  received,  in  every  place, 
by  the  religious  people  in  Scotland,  constitute 
a  feature  in  my  life  never  to  be  forgotten.  My 
whole  mind  is  deeply  busied  in  meditations 
upon  the  goodness  and  love  of  God.  I  can 
hardly  expect  to  interest  your  mind  in  all  the 
minuti(B  of  my  hourly  intercourse ;  but  I  believe 
your  eyes  would  be  often  filled  with  tears  of 
gratitude,  if  you  saw  and  heard  all  which  I  see 
and  hear. 


176  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

"  My  wish  is,  that  my  loved  and  honoured 
wife  may  receive  this  on  our  wedding-day.  If 
posts  occasion  a  failure,  let  the  will  be  accepted 
for  the  deed.  My  desire  is  to  express  to  you 
on  that  day,  (an  anniversary  most  dear  to  my 
heart,)  some  little  portion  of  that  love  and  ho- 
nour which  I  bear  toward  you  ;  and  to  assure 
you,  that  a  distance  of  four  hundred  miles,  and 
a  most  active  and  unceasing  train  of  business, 
impair  not,  but  rather  enhance,  the  feelings  of 
my  heart  toward  you  and  our  dear  children. 
Scenes,  indeed,  of  a  natural,  moral,  and  spiritual 
character  are  passing  here  before  me  in  striking 
succession,  far  beyond  what  I  can  express ; 
but  I  trust  they  are  ripening  for  domestic  good ; 
and  I  never  felt  more  than  now  that  great  bene- 
fits to  myself  and  to  others  are  originating  in 
my  missionary  excursions.  God  only  knows 
what  I  have  felt  on  my  reception  in  Scotland, 
as  connected  with  my  tracts  and  sermons.  I 
am  surprised,  gratified,  and  humbled. 

"  A  leading  feature  in  my  late  transactions 
has  been  derived  from  visits  to  Sunday,  and 
other  schools,  where,  after  hearing  the  children 
examined,  I  have  addressed  them.  In  every 
instance  they  have  made  juvenile  collections 
for  the  Jewish  children.  On  Sunday  last  I 
visited  a  school  of  two  hundred  children.     It 


LIFE  OF  LECH   RICII.IIOND.  177 

was  the  half-yearly  day  for  distributing  reward 
books.    The  sixty  most  deserving  scholars  were 
to  receive  the  ^  Young  Cottager'  as  their  re- 
ward.    Three  of  them  had  already  been  bless- 
ed, some  time  ago,  in  hearing  it  read  at  school. 
I  was  requested  to  present  each   child  with  a 
tract,  as  they  were  successively  brought  up  to 
me,  in  presence  of  about  two  hundred  grown-up 
persons  of  all  ranks.     It  was  a  most  solemn 
and    affecting    scene.       The    gentleman    who 
manages  the  school  offered  up  a  most  affectino- 
thanksgiving  for  the  good  which  had  attended 
the  distribution  of  my  tracts  throughout  Scot- 
land, and   in  his  school  in  particular,  and  for 
the  opportunity  now  aHbrded  of  introducing  me 
personally  to  so  many  children,  '  who  had lonn- 
loved  me  with   all  their  hearts.'     Immediately 
all  the  company  and   all  the  children  suno-  a 
thanksgiving    hynm.       Then     followed     what 
affected  me  greatly.    The  children  were  drawn 
up  m  a  triple  semi-circle,  in  the  centre  of  which 
I  stood.     Each  successful   candidate  success- 
ively stepped  forward   and  received  from  my 
hand  a  '  Young  Cottager,'  and  from  my  lips  a 
short  exhortation   and  blessing.     Not  an  eye 
was  dry,  and   my  own  with  difficulty  allowed 
me  to  go  through  the  simple  and  interesting 
ceremony.     One  girl,  who  was  two  years  since 
13 


178  LIFE   OF  LEGH   RICHMOND, 

converted  by  God's  blessing  on  the  tract,  as 
she  approached  me,  was  so  affected,  that  she 
dropped  on  her  knees  and  burst  into  tears." 

"My  Dear  Fanny, — I  was  unspeakably 
gratified  at  Newcastle,  in  seeing  two  little  girls, 
one  of  ten,  the  other  of  twelve,  the  spiritual 
fruits  of  my  '  Young  Cottager  ;'  the  latter  of  the 
two  I  had  not  seen  before.  I  never  before, 
except  in  the  case  of  '  Little  Jane'  herself,  saw 
so  clear  and  so  early  an  instance  of  decided 
grace,  and  of  a  truly  enlightened  mind :  you 
Avould  have  thought  her  conversation  equal  to 
eighteen  at  least.  I  apprehend  that  I  have  be- 
come acquainted  with  above  thirty  cases  of 
decided  usefulness  in  youth,  from  that  tract, 
since  I  came  into  the  north.  O  !  what  a  mer- 
cy I     In  this,  '  goodness  indeed  follows  me.' 

"  My  visit  to  Scotland  has  been  marked  by 
more  affection  and  usefulness  than  any  I  ever 
made ;  numerous  public  and  private  occurrences 
overwhelm  me  with  gratitude.  The  vScottish 
scenery  is  of  the  very  first  class.  Whatever  is 
beautiful,  whatever  is  grand,  whatever  is  wild 
and  romantic, — all  are  to  be  found  in  almost 
unlimited  variety  of  display.  Noble  rivers, 
lakes,  and  waterfalls,  picturesque  hills  and 
mountains,    lovelv   land    and    ftea   views,    fine 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  179 

towns  and  buildings, — all  speaking  the  good- 
ness, power,  and  wisdom  of  God  !  The  marks 
of  affeclion,  regard,  and  esteem,  with  which  I 
was  received,  far  exceed  what  I  have  ever  wit- 
nessed ;  and  I  have  reason  to  believe  much  ac- 
tual good  has  been  done  to  many  individuals, 
while  I  was  there." 

In  the  early  part  of  the  following  year  Mr. 
Richmond  lost  his  mother,  who  died  at  Leigh- 
ton  Hall,  near  Lancaster,  on  the  thirtieth  of 
January,  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  her  age. 
He  had  visited  her  about  three  months  before,  and 
remarked  that  she  looked  more  aged,  though  not 
complaining;  but  she  expressed  her  apprehen- 
sions that  they  were  meeting  for  the  last  time. 

Her  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  her 
son,  who  says,  in  a  letter  to  his  daughter, — 

"  Mv  Dear  Fanny, — I  am  just  returned, 
after  executing  the  difficult  and  affecting  task 
of  preaching  a  funeral  sermon  for  my  most 
excellent  and  revered  mother,  at  her  parish 
church.  I  took  my  subject  from  Psalm  cxv,  1, 
as  best  suited  to  her  humble,  meek,  and  believ- 
ing frame  of  mind.  It  was  indeed  a  trying 
effort ;  but  God  carried  me  through  surprisingly. 
Her  last  message  to  me  was — '  Tell  my  son,  I 
am  going  direct  to  happiness.' 


180  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND, 

"  Never  was  there  a  more  delightful  and  hea- 
venly countenance  than  hers,  as  she  lay  in  her 
coffin :  it  combined  every  sentiment  which  the 
most  devout  mind  could  desire :  love — ^joy — 
peace — gentleness — goodness — faith — meek- 
ness— charity,  all  shone  serenely  bright.  I 
followed  her  to  her  grave,  in  Lancaster  church- 
yard, where  she  lies  under  a  sycamore  tree, 
amid  the  magnificent  landscape  of  sea,  mount- 
ains, rivers,  castle  and  church,  around.  You 
remember  its  high  beauties.  But  you  very  im- 
perfectly know  the  high  qualities  of  head  and 
heart  which  your  grandmamma  possessed — I 
never  met  with  her  equal  at  the  same  age.  I 
occupy  her  little  room,  adjoining  her  bed-room, 
by  day ;  and  it  is  a  great  consolation  to  me  to 
sit  in  her  arm-chair  and  think  of  her,  and  read 
her  papers  on  various  subjects.  There  you  and 
I  took  leave  of  her,  in  November  last — but, 
alas  !  her  place  knoweth  her  no  more  !  I  look 
out  of  the  window,  at  the  grand  range  of  snow- 
capped mountains,  which  are  now  beautiful  in 
the  extreme.  And  then  I  think  of  my  dear  mo- 
ther, and  how  she  enjoyed  their  characteristic 
grandeur. 

"  Letters  pour  in  daily,  from  all  parts  of  Eng- 
land, condoling  with  us  in  our  great  loss.  My 
mother  was   loved   and  honoured  most  exten- 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  181 

sively.  Dear  woman  !  for  forty-seven  years  I 
have  proved  thy  affection,  and  can  trace,  from 
earliest  infancy,  the  tokens  of  thy  worth.  May 
I  follow  thee  in  humility,  faith,  and  love ;  and 
cherish  thy  memory  with  gratitude  and  honour!" 

In  1820  Mr.  Richmond  again  visited  Scot- 
land, the  object  of  his  journey  being  the  same 
as  that  of  his  previous  one,  viz.,  the  collection 
of  funds  for  the  Society  for  promoting  Christi- 
anity among  the  Jews.  From  his  journals  and 
letters  we  extract  such  parts  as  we  judge  will 
prove  most  interesting  to  our  readers. 

"  July  29th. — It  would  be  no  easy  task  to 
describe  the  laborious  circuit  of  engagements 
and  accompanying  solicitudes,  in  which  I  am 
deeply  engaged.  Next  week  I  enter  the  depths 
of  the  Highlands,  and  so  far  north :  if  all  be 
well,  the  w^eek  after  next  I  shall  reach  Staffa, 
the  isle  of  wonders ;  and  lona,  the  isle  of  caves 
and  kings.  Among  tl>e  spiritual  mercies  I  have 
this  week  met  with,  are  three  new  and  distinct 
instances  of  the  conversions  and  happy  deaths 
of  children  in  Glasgow,  Paisley,  and  Greenock; 
two,  through  '  Little  Jane.'  The  wide  disper- 
sion of,  and  impression  connected  with,  these 
tracts  in  Scotland,  is  scarcely  credible.  I  have, 
in  this  respect,  seen  far  beyond  '  the  travail  of 


182  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

my  soul.'  When  I  reflect  upon  the  simplicity 
of  their  origin,  and  the  little  idea  entertained 
of  their  ever  going  beyond  the  limited  circula- 
tion of  the  Christian  Guardian,  I  am  sometimes 
lost  in  wonder  at  the  success  attending  their 
publication.  Surely,  we  may  unitedly  praise 
God  for  his  unspeakable  mercy  to  us  in  this 
one  unexampled  instance. 

"August  14th.— Aros,  (island  of  Mull.)  In 
some  of  these  remote  islands,  where  the  Gaelic 
language  is  chiefly  spoken,  (though  not  to  the 
exclusion  of  the  English,)  where  diff'erent  man- 
ners, dress,  habits,  dwellings,  &c.,  prevail,  it 
seems  difficult  to  conceive  that  it  is  still  Bri- 
tain. I  propose  this  evening  to  gather  a  little 
company  of  Highland  cotters,  and  to  preach  to 
them  in  a  wild  glen  in  this  romantic  island. 
The  parish  church  is  fifteen  miles  distant. 

"  Yesterday  I  came  from  Oban,  which  is 
thirty-five  miles  by  sea  from  this  place.  I  think 
in  our  voyage  I  saw  twenty  ruined  castles,  and 
three  inhabited  ones,  and  above  twenty-five  of 
the  islands  of  the  Hebrides.  The  intelligent 
boatmen  tell  you  all  manner  of  ancient  legends 
and  histories  connected  with  their  ancient  mas- 
ters. They  carry  you  back  to  the  days  of 
Norwegian,  Danish,  and  Irish  story.  I  saw 
the  spot  where  a  part  of  the  Spanish  Armada 


LIFE  OF    LEGH    RICHMOND.  183 

was  wrecked;  and  a  gun  still  remains  on  a 
rock,  belonging  to  one  of  the  Spanish  ships. 

*'Aiigustl8th. — I  have  seen  Staffa, and  write 
this  from  Zona.  What  I  shall  say,  I  know  not, 
for  really  I  can  say  nothing  as  I  ought.  When 
I  entered  the  cave  of  Fingal,!  knew  not  whether 
to  burst  out  into  one  unceasing  cry  of  astonish- 
ment, meditate  in  unbroken  silence  of  over- 
whelming wonder,  or  fall  down  upon  my  knees, 
in  devout  adoration  of  Him  who  formed  such 
a  scene  of  sublime  beauty.  It  beggars  all  de- 
scription. 

''August  19th. — Set  off  for  a  second  view  of 
Staffa.  No  words  can  describe  the  whole  :  we 
had  the  afternoon  sun  upon  all  the  most  striking 
features  of  this  magnificent  group.  The  water 
was  so  calm  that  we  went  into  the  great  cave 
in  the  boat,  and  thus  obtained  the  finest  view 
possible.     We  sung  a  hymn  ;  it  was  sweetly 

echoed My  travelling  friend,  Mr. 

P.,  is  of  a  truly  congenial  mind,  and  we  have 
mutual  pleasure  in  using  the  scenes  of  nature 
as  means  of  grace.  Returned  to  lona  at  eight 
o'clock. 

"  You  have  seen  my  prints  of  Staffa ;  but 
you  have  not  seen  them  large  and  solid  as  the 
original.  The  sublimity,  beauty,  magnificence, 
singularities,  wildness,  and  overwhelming  in- 


184  LIFE  OF  LEGH    RICHMOND. 

iluerice  of  the  whole,  quite  stop  my  pen,  and  my 
breath,  when  I  attempt  either  to  write  or  speak 
on  the  subject.  I  have  made  two  separate 
visits  to  Staffa^  arid  seen  it  within,  and  without, 
with  every  possible  advantage." 

The  most  interesting  part  of  Mr.  Richmond's 
tour  was  his  visit  to  the  once  celebrated  island 
of  lona.  This  island  is  one  of  the  Hebrides, 
and  is  the  most  noted  place  of  Caledonian  an- 
tiquity. It  was  formerly  a  seat  of  the  Druids, 
some  of  whose  sepulchral  remains  are  still  to 
be  seen.  Christianity  was  introduced  into  the 
island  by  St.  Columba,  after  whom  it  was  called 
I-colm-kill,  or  Columba's  cell.  St.  Columba 
came  from  Ireland  to  lona  in  the  sixth  century, 
accompanied  by  twelve  of  his  disciples.  He 
founded  a  monastery  and  a  college  in  the  island, 
and  made  it  the  seat  and  centre  of  literature 
and  piety.  Through  the  missionary  labours  of 
the  Culdees,  as  the  disciples  of  Columba  were 
called,  the  greater  part  of  Scotland  was  con- 
verted to  the  Christian  faith ;  and  they  were 
instrumental  in  diffusing  the  blessings  of  reli- 
gion and  learning  in  nearly  all  the  countries 
of  Northern  Europe.  Teachers  were  frequently 
drawn  from  them  for  seminaries  in  England, 
and  they  undertook  missionary  expeditions  to 
Norway,  and  even  to  Russia.   They  taught,  in 


LIFE  OF   LEGH    RICHMOND.  185 

a  great  measure,  the  principles  of  primitive 
Christianity,  rejecting  both  the  vows  of  celiba- 
cy, and  the  ceremonies  of  the  Romish  Church. 
The  ruins  of  the  ancient  edifices  of  lona,  and 
especially  those  of  its  once  splendid  cathedral, 
still  remain  as .  memorials  of  the  apostolic 
labours  of  Columba,  his  associates,  and  suc- 
cessors, and  cannot  fail  to  interest  the  travel- 
ler, and  to  excite  the  deepest  emotion  in  the 
heart  of  the  Christian.* 

*  It  was  under  the  influence  of  recollections  like  these, 
that  Dr.  Johnson  composed  the  following  celebrated  pas- 
sage, which  is  found  in  his  "  Journey  to  the  Western 
Islands  of  Scotland  : — 

"  We  were  now  treading  that  illustrious  island  which 
was  once  the  luminary  of  the  Caledonian  regions  ;  whence 
savage  clans  and  roving  barbarians  derived  the  benefit  of 
knowledge  and  the  blessings  of  religion.  To  abstract  the 
mind  from  all  local  emotion  would  be  impossible  if  it  were 
endeavoured,  and  would  be  foolish  if  it  were  possible. 
Whatever  withdraws  us  from  the  power  of  our  senses  ; 
whatever  makes  the  past,  the  distant,  or  the  future  pre- 
dominate over  the  present,  advances  us  in  the  dignity  of 
thinking  beings.  Far  from  me,  and  from  my  friends,  be 
such  frigid  philosophy,  as  may  conduct  us,  indifferent  and 
unmoved,  over  any  ground  which  has  been  dignified  by 
wisdom,  bravery,  and  virtue.  The  man  is  little  to  be  en- 
vied whose  patriotism  would  not  gain  force  upon  the 
plains  of  Marathon,  or  whose  piety  would  not  grow  warmer 
among  the  ruins  of  lona." 


186  LIFE  OF  LEGH    RICHMOND. 

The  burial  ground  attached  to  the  cathedral 
is  said  to  contain  the  remains  of  forty-eight 
crowned  heads  of  Scotland  ;  but  this  tradition 
is  rather  discredited  by  Dr.  Johnson,  who  says, 
"  lona  has  long  enjoyed,  without  any  very  credi- 
ble attestation,  the  honour  of  being  the  reputed 
cemetery  of  the  Scottish  kings.  It  is  not  unlikely 
that,  when  the  opinion  of  local  sanctity  was 
prevalent,  the  chieftains  of  the  isles,  and  per- 
haps some  of  the  Norwegians  and  Irish  princes, 
were  reposited  in  this  venerable  enclosure  :  but 
by  whom  the  subterranean  vaults  are  peopled 
is  now  unknown  ;  the  graves  are  very  numer- 
ous, and  some  of  them  undoubtedly  contain  the 
remains  of  men  who  did  not  expect  to  be  so 
soon  forgotten."* 

The  island  now  contains  a  population  of 
about  four  hundred  souls  :  but  its  ancient  glory 
has  long  since  departed. 

Dr.  Johnson,  who  visited  it  about  seventy 
years  ago,  says,  "  There  are  only  two  houses 
that  enjoy  the  luxury  of  a  chimney,  and  in  one 
of  these  it  was  of  little  use  ;  the  farmers  who 
possess  it  make  their  fire  in  the  middle  of  the 
room,  and,  notwithstanding  the  dignity  of  their 
mansion,  they  rejoiced  like  their  neighbours  in 
the  comforts  of  smoke. — The  inhabitants  are 
*  Journey  to  the  Western  Islands  of  Scotland. 


LIFE    OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  187 

gross  and  remarkably  neglected :  I  know  not 
that  they  are  visited  by  any  minister.  The 
island,  which  was  once  the  metropolis  of  learn- 
ing and  piety,  has  now  no  school  for  education, 
nor  temple  for  worship  ;  only  two  inhabitants 
that  can  speak  English,  and  not  one  that  can 
read  or  write." 

The  state  of  the  island  does  not  appear  to 
have  been  very  greatly  improved  at  this  time, 
as  Mr.  Richmond  found  there  neither  church 
nor  ordinances  of  religious  worship,  except  in 
the  occasional  visits  of  a  Scotch  minister  from 
an  adjacent  island  ;  and  the  appointment  of  a 
schoolmaster,  who  assembled  the  children  in  a 
rude  building.* 

We  now  resume  our  extracts  from  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's journals  and  letters. 

"  August  20,  Sunday. — I  am  just  preparing 
to  preach  to  as  many  of  these  poor  islanders  as 
can  understand  English,  in  the  open  air.  A 
rock  my  pulpit,  and  heaven  my  sounding- 
board  ;  may  the  echo  resound  to  their  hearts. 
*  By  the  following  passage  of  a  letter  of  Bishop  Meade, 
who  visited  Scotland  in  1841,  it  appears  that  the  same 
schoolmaster  was  at  that  time  still  living  and  exercising 
his  vocation  at  lona.  The  bishop  says,  "  For  fifty  years 
one  man  has  been  the  schoolmaster  and  minister,  until 
very  recently,  when  the  government,  in  pity,  provided  him 
some  help  in  his  old  age." 


188  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

I  trust  that  some  good  will  result  from  this  visit. 
This  will  more  than  repay  the  delay  occasioned 
in  my  journey,  by  this  most  interesting  excur- 
sion to  the  Hebrides.  It  will  somewhat  lengthen 
my  journey  and  time  ;  but  I  feel  a  persuasion 
that  my  own  soul  and  those  of  others  are  to 
profit  by  it. 

"  Went  at  eleven  to  the  school-house,  and 
gave  a  service.  I  preached  to  a  large  company 
of  these  poor  lonians,  from  2  Cor.  v. — At  four 
gave  another  service,  preaching  from  Luke  xxiv, 
47.  At  half-past  six  gave  a  third,  chiefly  to  the 
children.  The  last,  by  the  schoolmaster  inter- 
preting in  Gaelic,  sentence  by  sentence. 

"  Passed  a  most  comfortable  evening,  in  con- 
versation with  these  worthy  lonians.  Surely 
I  have  learned  much  here  !  A  day  to  be  re- 
membered. I  hope  to  raise  a  sufficient  sub- 
scription to  build  a  new  school-house  for  lona." 

In  the  interval  between  the  morning  and 
afternoon  services  Mr.  Richmond .  spent  two 
hours  alone,  in  solemn  and  peaceful  meditation, 
amid  the  ruins  and  graves  of  the  cathedral. 
Writing  to  Mrs.  Richmond  on  the  same  day,  he 
says,  "  You  may  tell  Willy,  I  knelt  down  upon 
the  graves  of  ancient  monarchs,  mouldering  in 
the  dust,  and  prayed  God  to  *  remember  him 
for  good ;'  to  make  him  a  holy  and  happy  be- 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  189 

ing,  both  in  time  and  eternity.  I  asked  of  the 
Lord,  that  my  child  might  share  in  the  Chris- 
tian privileges,  character,  and  literature  of  the 
once  renowned  Christian  divines  of  lona,  the 
missionaries  and  theologians  of  a  primitive  pe- 
riod, on  whose  ashes  I  was  treading;  I  prayed 
that  if  (and  only  if)  his  heart  were  rightly  di- 
rected, God  would  make  him  a  minister  of 
Christ's  church  on  earth  ;  but  that  he  might 
never  enter  on  the  sacred  office,  if  likely  to  be 
a  careless,  carnal,  unconverted  servant  of  the 
sanctuary.  My  heart  was  full  of  holy  freedom, 
as  I  offered  up  a  father's  petition  on  the  birth- 
day of  my  child." 

The  kindness  of  Mr.  Richmond's  heart  ren- 
dered it  a  peculiar  pleasure  to  him  to  be  the 
means  of  imparting  happiness  to  others.  It 
seemed  to  be  his  constant  aim  "to  instruct 
by  pleasing ;"  and  he  entered  into  every  inno- 
cent feeling  of  children,  and  readily  shared 
their  recreations.  The  school  at  lona  particu- 
larly interested  him  ;  and  he  soon  gained  on  the 
children's  affections,  who  listened  to  his  instruc- 
tions with  confiding  simplicity.  During  his 
stay  in  the  island  he  rewarded  their  diligent 
attendance  with  a  public  entertainment.  The 
best  sheep  to  be  found  in  the  island  was  pur- 
chased for  the  sum  of  six  shillings.     But  a  dif- 


190  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

ficulty  arose  on  the  occasion, — there  was  fuel 
to  roast  it,  but  the  whole  domain  could  not  sup- 
ply the  necessary  apparatus  for  its  dissection. 
The  children  assembled  on  shore,  and  picked  up 
shells,  to  answer  the  purpose  of  knives  and  forks. 
How  interesting  a  scene  !  Two  hundred 
children  and  their  parents,  assembled  on  the 
sea-shore, — every  countenance  beaming  with 
delight !  The  hearts  of  the  guests  might  be 
full  of  joy  in  the  novelty  of  the  amusement,  and 
in  the  hospitality  of  their  benefactor ;  but  the 
master  of  the  feast,  amidst  the  wreck  of  great- 
ness, the  tombs  of  the  mighty  dead,  and  the 
anticipation  of  the  revival  of  former  piety  among 
these  remote  islanders,  would  taste  the  higher 
luxury  of  doing  good. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  festivity,  all  sung 
the  following  hymn,  which  Mr.  Richmond,  in 
the  glow  of  his  benevolent  feelings,  had  com- 
posed on  the  spot,  and  which  was  interpreted 
by  the  schoolmaster  : — 
"  Thou  God  of  all  grace,  O  omnipotent  Lord, 
Fill  our  hearts  with  the  power  of  thy  soul-saving  word  I 
Have  mercy,  Jehovah  !  and  be  it  thy  will 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 
Thy  Spirit  came  once  on  the  wings  of  a  '  dove,' 
And  proved  to  our  fathers  how  great  was  thy  love  : 
Have  mercy  again,  Lord  !  and  be  it  thy  will 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  191 

M^hen  idolatrous  Druids  polluted  the  land, 
To  banish  them  hence  thou  didst  stretch  forth  thy  hand  : 
Thou  art  still  the  same  Lord  ;  and  0  !  be  it  thy  will 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill  ! 

On  thee  all  our  hope,  in  our  poverty,  stays — 

Revive,  Lord,  thy  work,  in  the  midst  of  the  days  ; 

We  will  trust  thee,  O  Lord  !  then  be  it  thy  will 

To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill  ! 

Though  remote  be  our  dwelling  and  humble  our  lot, 

Yet  our  God  has  a  blessing  for  each  little  cot : 

Have  mercy,  dear  Saviour  !  and  be  it  thy  will 

To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 

May  our  breasts  feel  the  power  of  the  blood  that  was  shed, 

"When  Christ  on  the  cross  for  our  sins  '  bovv'd  his  head  ;' 

May  that  blood  be  our  trust ;  and  0 !  be  it  thy  will 

To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill ! 

Bless  our  parents  and  teachers,  and  make  it  their  joy 
In  seeking  our  welfare  their  time  to  employ  ; 
O  !  bless  their  instructions  ;  and  be  it  thy  will 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill  ! 

Nov*?  hear  our  petition,  0  God  of  the  Isles  : 
That  we  all  may  partake  of  thy  heavenly  smiles  : 
In  life  and  in  death  be  thou  merciful  still. 
And  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill  I 

And  at  the  last  day,  when  our  bodies  shall  rise. 
To  behold  the  great  Saviour  and  Judge  in  the  skies — 
Then  let  it  be  known  'twas  thy  pleasure  and  will 
To  save  the  poor  children  of  Icolumbkill !" 

On  one  occasion,  when  Mr.  Richmond  was 
preaching  in  the  school-house,  he  adverted  to 


192  LIFE   OF   LEGH   RICHMOND. 

the  Jewish  mission.  The  hum  of  the  children 
was  heard,  "  We  will  give,  we  will  give !" 
Some  persons  present  attempted  to  check  their 
zeal,  and  keep  silence,  but  all  voices  were 
raised  in  reply — "  The  bairns  will  have  it — 
the  bairns  will  have  it !"  meaning  the  children 
icould  make  a  collection  :  and  they  presented 
to  him  the  sum  of  £2  Os.  9c?.*  If  not  all  their 
living,  yet  a  magnificent  offering  to  Him  whose 
grace  had  touched  their  hearts  and  inspired 
their  zeal.  Of  these  poor  islanders  it  might  be 
truly  said,  "  Their  deep  poverty  abounded  unto 
the  riches  of  their  liberality." 

The  impression  made  on  the  people  of  lona 
by  Mr.  Richmond's  visit,  appears  from  the  fol- 
lowing anecdote.  He  had  hired  a  boat  and  two 
sailors,  to  take  him  to  Fingal's  Cave,  a  place 
of  great  curiosity,  and  of  which  he  never  spoke 
without  the  deepest  emotion.  On  his  return, 
he  asked  the  boatmen  what  he  had  to  pay  them. 
But  they  refused  to  accept  any  remuneration  ; 
and  though  he  urged  them  to  name  their  charge, 

*  Equal  to  about  ten  dollars.  This  seems  a  large  sum 
for  so  poor  a  place  as  lona,  but  we  have  the  authority  of 
Mr.  Richmond's  journal  for  the  fact ;  where  it  is  also 
stated,  that  he  repeatedly  declined  accepting  the  boon,  but 
the  islanders  forced  it  upon  him,  as  a  testimony  of  regard 
to  him  and  to  his  cause. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  193 

they  firmly  persisted  in  their  resolution  ;  looked 
at  him  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  and  exclaiming, 
"  No,  no,  no,  sir.  Love  has  brought  you  to 
lona,  and  love  shall  find  you  a  boat." 

Mr.  Richmond,  before  he  quitted  this  inte- 
resting scene  of  his  labours,  addressed  the  chil- 
dren ;  about  two  hundred  of  whom  were  pre- 
sent. The  master  desired  that  as  many  as 
wished  to  thank  their  benefactor  for  his  kind- 
ness to  them  would  lift  up  their  hands.  All 
raised  their  hands  above  their  heads.  "  Is  this 
from  your  hearts  ?"  said  the  master.  Instantly 
one  hand  was  laid  on  their  hearts,  the  other  re- 
maining up :  "  and  in  this  posture,"  says  Mr. 
Richmond,  in  his  journal,  "  the  dear  children 
stood,  while  I  gave  them  a  parting  blessing.  It 
was  a  most  touching  sight," 

He  left  lona  amidst  the  tears  of  its  popula- 
tion, nearly  the  whole  of  whom  attended  him 
to  the  sea-shore,  with  the  most  lively  demon- 
strations of  gratitude  and  love.  "  Farewell," 
he  observes,  "  dear,  interesting  lona.  May  I 
think  much  and  profitably  on  my  visit,  and  on 
what  I  saw  and  enjoyed  there." 

Writing   to  his   daughter   Fanny,  he   says, 

"  No  words  can  express  the  deep  and  affecting 

interest  excited  by  the  ruins  and  associations 

of  this  island.     I  slept  four  nights  therein,  in  a 

]?, 


194  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICH3I0ND. 

little  hut,  such  as  you  never  saw,  amid  the  ve- 
nerable ruins  of  all  the  great  literary  and  reli- 
gious establishments  of  ancient  days,  when 
Zona  was  the  fountain  of  learning  and  piety  to 
all  Europe.  I  preached  thrice  on  Sunday  to 
such  a  group  of  poor  islanders,  in  such  a  poor 
place  as  you  cannot  easily  conceive. — Never 
did  I  see  such  a  sight,  or  feel  such  a  feeling 
before." 

To  Mr.  Richmond's  visit,  lona  is  indebted 
for  a  new  school-house.  Before  he  quitted  this 
island  he  had  formed  a  plan  for  raising  by  sub- 
scription the  means  of  building  it ;  and  when 
he  returned  to  Edinburgh  he  made  an  appeal  to 
the  public  ;  from  which  we  extract  the  follow- 
ing passage  : — 

"  Divine  service  is  performed  in  lona,  by  the 
minister,  four  times  a  year.  There  is  a  school 
in  lona,  under  the  charge  of  a  pious  master, 
who  receives  a  salary  from  the  Society  for  pro- 
moting Christian  Knowledge  in  the  Highlands 
and  Islands  of  Scotland.  This  schoolmaster 
reads  a  sermon  to  several  of  the  inhabitants, 
every  sabbath-day  ;  but  the  house  appropriated 
to  the  purpose  of  the  school  is  in  so  ruinous  a 
state,  and  so  very  unsuitable  to  the  design,  in 
regard  to  size,  light,  and  general  convenience, 
that  neither  the  education  of  the   children  nor 


LIFE   OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  195 

the  instruction  of  the  adults,  can  be  carried  on 
with  advantage.  The  inhabitants  of  this  remote 
island  are  four  hundred  and  fifty  in  number.  In 
the  hope  of  promoting  their  religious  and  moral 
welfare,  it  is  proposed  to  raise  a  subscription 
for  the  purpose  of  building  a  very  plain,  but 
commodious  school-room,  for  the  instruction  of 
the  islanders.  The  tenants  and  cotters  are  too 
poor  to  raise  a  subscription  among  themselves, 
although  they  are  desirous  that  such  a  house 
should  be  built,  and  will  assist  in  the  carting 
and  carrying  of  the  materials  to  the  place. 
'  Gold  and  silver  they  have  none  ;  but  such  as 
they  have  they  will  give  to  the  cause.'  The 
schoolmaster  is  much  esteemed  among  them, 
and  has  been  the  instrument  of  considerable 
usefulness  to  the  inhabitants ;  and  there  is 
every  reason  to  believe  that  the  accommodation 
thus  proposed  will,  if  carried  into  execution, 
greatly  increase  it.  The  requisite  steps  will 
be  taken  to  ensure  the  permanent  appropriation 
of  the  building  to  the  purpose  for  which  the 
subscription  is  raised.  It  is  estimated  that  .£90 
[about  $430]  will  be  adequate  to  the  accom- 
plishment of  the  plan." 

When  Mr.  Richmond  had  raised  about  jGTO 
toward  this  object,  he  opened  a  communication 
with  the  duke  of  Argyle,  who  was  the  proprie- 


196  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

tor  of  the  island.  The  duke,  it  appears,  chose 
to  erect  the  proposed  building  at  his  own  ex- 
pense ;  and  the  money  which  had  already  been 
subscribed  was  appropriated  in  some  other 
manner,  for  the  moral  and  religious  benefit  of 
the  islanders. 

Mr.  Richmond's  journal  abounds  with  the 
most  grateful  recollections,  and  honourable 
mention  of  his  friends  in  Scotland,  who  had 
liberally  and  generously  aided  the  missions  he 
had  come  to  advocate.  The  travelling,  too, 
had  contributed  much  to  his  general  health  and 
strength,  and  altogether  he  had  been  much  gra- 
tified with  his  visit. 

During  one  of  his  visits  to  Scotland  Mr. 
Richmond  left  his  eldest  daughter  a  while  un- 
der the  care  of  a  friend  who  resided  near  Glas- 
gow. While  there  an  attachment  was  formed 
between  her  and  the  Rev.  James  Marshall,  a 
Presbyterian  clergyman,  which  meeting  the 
approbation  of  her  father,  they  were  united  in 
marriage  in  the  spring  of  1822.  On  the  day 
of  their  marriage  Mr.  Richmond  addressed  to 
his  daughter  a  letter  containing  counsels  for 
her  guidance  in  the  new  and  responsible  rela- 
tion upon  which  she  had  entered. 


LIFE  OF   LEGH   RICHMOM:).  191 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

MR.     RICHMOND    REVISITS  THE  ISLE    OF  WIGHT; 
EXCURSION   TO   IRELAND. 

Mr.  Richmond  was  a  zealous  and  perse- 
vering friend  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society,  an  institution  whose  object  was  to  dis- 
pense the  bread  of  life  to  every  nation  under 
heaven.  To  eflect  this  grand  enterprise  of 
Christian  benevolence,  men  of  all  ranks  and 
denominations,  laying  aside  party  distinctions, 
met  on  common  ground,  and  exhibited  a  union 
hitherto  unknown  in  the  annals  of  Christen- 
dom ; — a  union  of  all  hands  and  of  all  hearts  ; 
holy  in  its  character,  and  yielding  the  fruits  of 
righteousness  and  peace. 

Mr.  Richmond's  public  labours  in  the  cause 
of  the  Bible  Society  were  rather  occasional 
than  regular,  (his  tours  being  chiefly  taken  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Church  Missionary  and  Jew- 
ish Societies,)  but  his  services  were  willingly 
offered  whenever  opportunities  occurred.  He 
usually  attended  the  annual  meetings  of  its  aux- 
iliaries within  his  own  neighbourhood ;  and 
frequently  made  A^oluntary  excursions  to  assist 
in  the  formation  of  branch  societies. 


198  LIFE  OF  Li:an  Richmond. 

In  August,  1822,  he  was  appointed  by  the 
parent  society  in  London,  to  accompany  Dr. 
Steinkopff,  one  of  their  secretaries,  to  Chiches- 
ter, Portsmouth,  Southampton,  and  the  Isle  of 
Wight.  The  recollections  of  his  former  resi- 
dence were  too  strongly  associated  with  all 
the  early  events  of  his  ministry,  not  to  render 
the  proposal  highly  acceptable  to  him.  We 
give  the  following  passages,  from  his  jour- 
nals and  letters  written  during  this  tour,  in 
which  he  was  accompanied  by  one  of  his 
daughters : — 

"August  27,  1822. — Saw  views  of  the  Isle 
of  Wight.  What  associations  crowd  upon  my 
heart !  Arrived  at  Portsmouth.  Joyfully  and 
affectionately  received  by  my  old  friends,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  T.  Talked  over  old  times  about  the 
Isle  of  Wight,  Brading,  Bembridge,  &c. 

"  I  entreat  thee,  O  my  God,  to  sanctify  this 
season  to  my  soul  and  to  the  souls  of  others  ! 
May  this  visit  be  a  blessing.  Time  is  going 
on — eternity  is  at  hand.  Strengthen  my  heart, 
head,  and  tongue,  and  keep  me  from  evil. 

"August  28. — Went  to  the  Bible  meeting. 
Well  supported.  Good  feeling.  Proceeded  to 
Southampton  Profitable  conversation  with  Dr. 
S.  on  the  necessity  of  retirement  and  prayer, 
in  the  midst  of  public  and  official  duties. 


IIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  199 

*•'  Lord,  guide  me  in  this  pilgrimage  !  Keep 
my  heart — give  me  judgment — direct  my  tongue 
— preserve  me  from  sin  ! 

"August  29, — Went  to  the  Bible  meeting 
at  Southampton.  I  told  the  miner's  story.*  A 
poor  widow  brought  an  interesting  girl,  about 
eighteen,  to  acknowledge  with  tears  of  grateful 
affection  how  much  she  was  indebted  to  the 
tract  of  '  The  Young  Cottager'  for  a  change 
of  heart  and  hope.  She  showed  a  simplicity 
of  character  that  affected  me  greatly.  Pro- 
ceeding to  Newport,  I  am  once  more  in  the 
Isle  of  Wight;  God  bless  this  visit.  My  heart 
yearns  over  this  spot.  Lord,  sanctify  all  things 
to  me  and  to  thy  children  ! 

"August  30. — Newport.     Met  Robert  Wall- 

*  The  story  to  which  he  alludes  is  very  affecting.  In 
one  of  the  Newcastle  collieries,  thirty-five  men  and  forty- 
one  boys  died  by  suffocation,  or  were  starved  to  death. 
One  of  the  boys  was  found  dead,  with  a  Bible  by  his  side, 
and  a  tin  box  such  as  the  colliers  use.  Within  the  lid  he 
had  contrived  to  engrave,  with  the  point  of  a  nail,  this  last 
message  to  his  mother  : — "  Fret  not,  my  dear  mothex-,  for 
we  are  singing  the  praises  of  God  while  we  have  time. 
Mother,  follow  God  more  than  ever  I  did.  Joseph,  think 
of  God,  and  be  kind  to  poor  mother."  Mr.  Richmond 
brought  the  box  from  the  north,  and  in  his  mode  of  com- 
municating this  affecting  incident,  used  to  awaken  feelings 
of  the  most  lively  interest. — London  YoutWs  Magazine, 
vol.  vii,  page  24. 


200  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

bridge,  and  talked  about  his  sister  and  father. 
Attended  the  Bible  meetincr.  The  Brading 
pulpit  is  offered  me  for  Sunday  morning. 

"August  31. — ^Set  out  with  my  daughter 
Fanny,  and  went  through  Brading  to  Mr.  L.'s 
cottage  at  Sandown.  All  the  way  felt  strong 
associations.  Every  tree,  hedge,  gate,  house, 
revived  them.  Returned  through  Brading.  Was 
much  affected  on  reading  many  grave-stones — 
so  many  that  I  once  well  knew!  Drank  tea 
with  the  curate.  I  felt  much  while  sitting  in 
the  Brading  vicarage  parlour, — so  many  do- 
mestic recollections.     Returned  to  Ryde. 

"September  1. — Sunday.  Went  after  break- 
fast to  Brading.  Before  church  saw  many 
friends,  who  most  affectionately  greeted  me. 
Preached  from  Psalm  viii,  4,  '  What  is  man, 
that  thou  art  mindful  of  him  ?  and  the  son  of  man, 
that  thou  visitest  him  V  Church  most  crowded. 
I  was  much  affected  by  the  whole  scene.  After 
many  interesting  circumstances  went  to  Ryde, 
and  preached  there  in  the  afternoon.  At  eight 
went  to  Bank  Cottage,  where  a  multitude  heard 
me  pray,  and  expound  John  vii,  37,  '  In  the  last 
day,  that  great  day  of  the  feast,  Jesus  stood,  and 
cried,  saying.  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come 
unto  me  and  drinkJ  How  many  gave  me  the 
affectionate  right  hand  of  fellowship! 


LIFE   OF-LEGH    IIICHMOXD. 


201 


"  Sept.  2. — Went  to  Brading.    Showed  Jane's 
cottage  to  Fanny.     Called  on  numbers  of  peo- 


ple. Much  friendly  and  kind  reception  at 
Brading :  religious  and  devotional  feeling  in 
every  direction. 

"  Sept.  5. — A  day  much  to  be  remembered. 
After  breakfast  went  with  Mr.  Butterworth,  &c., 
to  distribute  tracts,  according  to  promise,  at 
Bembridge  Point,  to  which  I  had  invited  all  the 
population  of  Bembridge.  More  than  five  hun- 
dred men,  women,  and  children  came  down  to 


202  LIFE    OF   LEGH    RICHMOND. 

the  sea-shore,  where  I  sat  upon  a  rock,  and  I 
gave  to  each  a  tract  and  a  blessing.  It  was  a 
scene  full  of  deep  and  trying  affection.  Such 
meetings,  welcomes,  congratulations,  smiles, 
tears,  salutations  from  some  hundreds  of  per- 
sons !  1  can  never  describe  it,  or  think  of  it, 
without  ardent  feelings. 

"  Had  many  proofs  of  past  usefulness.  God 
bless  this  day  to  me  and  many  !  Dined  at  six, 
with  a  Christian  party.  Expounded  the  twenty- 
third  Psalm. 

"  Sept.  9. — Visited  Robert  Wallbridge  and 
Mrs.  A.  Had  much  useful  conversation  about 
the  dairyman's  daughter.  She  gave  me  a  lock 
of  her  hair.  We  went  to  Arreton  church,  and 
visited  her  grave. 

"Sept.  12. — A  day  much  to  be  remembered. 
On  this  day  twenty-five  years  since  I  first  read 
Mr.  Wilberforce's  book  on  Christianity,  in  my 
little  study,  in  the  vicarage  house  at  Brading ; 
and  thence  and  then  my  first  serious,  and,  I 
hope,  saving  impressions  ! 

"  A  memorial  stone  was  this  day  put  up  over 
the  grave  of  little  Jane,  the  young  cottager — 
my  first  convert  and  seal  in  Brading.  Multi- 
tudes attended — old  and  young,  from  all  the 
vicinity.  Her  parents  bent  weeping  over  the 
grave.     What  did  I  not  feel !     We  then  ad- 


LIFE  or   LEGH   RICHMOND,  203 

journed  to  the  cottage  where  she  lived  and 
died,  and  I  distributed  a  number  of  '  Young 
Cottager'  tracts  to  the  inhabitants  and  neigh- 
bourhood, who  came  in  throngs  to  receive 
them.     A  truly  affecting  scene !" 

On  this  stone  was  placed  the  following  epi- 
taph, from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Richmond  : — 

"  Ye  who  delight  the  power  of  God  to  trace, 
And  mark  with  joy  each  monument  of  grace, 
Tread  hghtly  o'er  this  grave  as  you  explore 
*  The  short  and  simple  annals  of  the  poor  !' 
A  child  reposes  underneath  this  sod, 
A  child  to  memory  dear,  and  dear  to  God : 
Rejoice,  yet  shed  the  sympathetic  tear, 
Jane,  the  '  Young  Cottager,'  lies  buried  here." 

"Sept.  18. — A  stone  was  this  day  put  up  for 
the  dairyman's  daughter,  in  Arreton  churchyard." 

On  each  of  the  preceding  occasions  some 
hundreds  of  persons  attended,  to  whom  copies 
of  the  tracts  respecting  the  deceased  were  dis- 
tributed. "  It  was,"  says  Mr.  Richmond,  "  a 
time  of  great  feeling.  Some  were  there  weep- 
ing with  gratitude,  in  having  been  brought  to 
God  through  the  reading  of  those  very  tracts." 
"  Sept.  19. — Portsmouth.  A  nursery  girl, 
who  lived  with  me  at  the  time  of  my  leaving 
the  island,  is  come  fifty-five  miles  on  foot,  on 
purpose  to  see  me  here,  and  to  thank  me  as  the 


204  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

instrument  of  her  conversion,  while  she  was 
my  servant ;  and  to-morrow  she  sets  out  to 
walk  fifty-five  miles  back  again.  I  did  not 
at  that  time  know  she  was  under  any  religious 
impressions.  She  was  then  fifteen  years  old. 
God  be  praised  for  his  mercies. 

"  I  left  the  island  yesterday,  with  strong  feel- 
ing. I  preach  here  on  Sunday,  and  above  thirty 
persons  arrived  from  the  Isle  of  Wight,  to  see 
me  once  more,  and  to  say,  '  Farewell  in  the 
Lord.'  " 

On  his  return  to  Turvey  he  writes  thus  to  a 
highly  respected  friend,  Mr.  John  Wheeler,  one 
of  his  old  parishioners  in  the  Isle  of  Wight : — 

"  The  remembrance  of  the  days  and  hours 
which  we  spent  together  in  the  Isle  of  Wight 
is  very  refreshing  to  me.  I  hope  that  the  nu- 
merous meetings  which  we  enjoyed,  have  been 
profitable  to  not  a  few  of  those  who  assembled 
together.  My  daughter  and  I  frequently  look 
back  upon  the  two  days  passed  at  Bembridge 
and  Brading,  when  the  tracts  were  distributed, 
and  the  grave-stone  put  up,  with  such  affection 
and  gratitude,  I  think  they  will  never  be  for- 
gotten by  many.  I  did  feel  a  lively  hope,  that 
so  much  seed  would  not  be  sown  in  vain,  and 
that  the   Lord  would  give  a  blessing  to  such 


LIFE  OF    LEGH  RICHMOND.  205 

means  as  I  trusted  he  had  put  into  our  hearts 
to  employ.  My  affections  for  the  island  are 
founded  upon  many  of  those  circumstances 
which  you  will  remember  in  our  younger 
days.  It  was  there  that  my  own  heart  was 
first  made  acquainted  with  the  infinite  value 
of  immortal  souls,  and  of  the  difficult  office  of 
a  Christian  minister.  It  was  there  that  those 
means  of  grace  were  enjoyed,  which  have  been 
since  felt  and  remembered  by  some,  as  *  times 
of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.' 
It  was  there  that  I  met  with  the  dairyman's 
daughter,  the  negro  servant,  and  the  young 
cottager,  and  with  my  respected  friend,  John 
Wheeler.  These,  and  many  more  events,  bind 
my  heart  to  the  place  with  very  tender  ties. 
When  you  see  our  friends  at  Bembridge,  tell 
them  how  much  I  feel  toward  them.  Some  of 
them  are  the  children  of  my  early  ministry ; 
others  are  their  children  ;  and  others  again 
have  been  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth,  through  the  Lord's  blessing  upon  instruc- 
tions established  and  blessed  when  I  first  knew 
them.  These  are  strong  ties  for  spiritual  re- 
gard. I  pray,  my  dear  friend,  that  you  may 
grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  the 
Lord.  He  that  has  accompanied  you  thus  far 
in  your  way,  \/ill  not  leave  nor  forsake  you. 


206  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

He  is  the  same  yesterday,  and  to-day,  and  for 
ever.  Cast  your  care  upon  him,  for  he  careth 
for  you.  The  promise  is  to  you,  and  to  your 
children,  and  to  as  many  as  are  afar  off,  whom 
the  Lord  shall  call.  Let  me  hear  from  you 
soon.  May  grace,  peace,  and  mercy,  be  with 
you  and  yours.  Pray  for  me  and  mine,  and 
believe  me,  faithfully  and  affectionately,  your 
friend  in  Christ,  L.  Richmond." 

In  1823  Mr.  Richmond,  having  occasion  to 
visit  his  daughter  in  Scotland,  availed  himself 
of  the  opportunity  to  make  a  short  excursion  to 
the  north  of  Ireland.  Of  this  journey  we  have 
no  other  particulars  than  are  contained  in  a 
letter  addressed  to  a  friend  at  Turvey,  and 
which  contains  nothing  of  general  interest. 


LIFE  OF    LEGH    RICHMOND.  207 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SICKNESS    AND    DEATH  OF  WILBERFORCE,    MR. 
RICHMOND'S    SECOND    SON. 

The  course  of  our  narrative  will  now  render 
it  necessary  to  give  a  somewhat  extended  no- 
tice of  Mr.  Richmond's  second  son,  who  about 
this  time  began  to  exhibit  symptoms  of  that 
disease  which  after  a  long  and  lingering  illness 
terminated  his  earthly  existence. 

This  youth,  who  was  named  WJlberforce, 
after  the  author  of  the  book  which  was  the 
means  of  leading  Mr.  Richmond  to  a  more  per- 
fect acquaintance  with  the  plan  of  salvation, 
was  born  in  1807.  His  constitution  was  natu- 
rally delicate,  and  was  probably  rendered  more 
so  by  an  accident  which  happened  to  him  in 
his  infancy,  and  occasioned  him  to  be  lame 
ever  after. 

Being  thus  incapacitated  for  the  usual  recre- 
ations of  boyhood,  he  applied  himself  with  the 
greater  diligence  to  his  studies,  in  which  he 
made  more  than  ordinary  proficiency.  His 
chief  pleasures  and  recreations  were  in  the 
study;  and  he  would  employ  himself  in  making 
experiments  in  natural  philosophy,  or  in  read- 


208  LIFE  OF  LEGH    RICHMOND. 

ing  some  book  of  science,  while  his  brothers 
were  engaged  in  their  sports.  He  was  always 
his  father's  companion  in  his  literary  and  phi- 
losophical pursuits  ;  and  a  congeniality  of  mind 
and  pursuits  occasioned  so  strong  an  attach- 
ment between  them  that  the  one  seemed  to  be 
almost  an  integral  part  of  the  other.  Mr.  Rich- 
mond had  a  peculiar  talent  for  connecting  sci- 
ence with  religion,  and  Wilberforce  seemed, 
more  than  his  other  children,  to  afford  him  ma- 
terials for  successful  cultivation. 

From  his  childhood  Wilberforce  seems  to 
have  been  of  a  serious  turn  of  mind,  and  he  had 
ever  a  strong  desire  to  become  a  minister  of 
the  gospel ;  but  as  yet  he  had  manifested  no 
evidence  of  that  change  of  heart,  which  Mr. 
Richmond  justly  considered  as  indispensable  in 
every  individual  aspiring  to  so  responsible  an 
office  as  that  of  an  ambassador  from  God  to  a 
guilty  world.  Much  as  he  desired  to  see  his 
son  in  the  ministry,  he  has  been  heard  to  say 
that  he  would  rather  follow  him  to  the  grave 
than  that  he  should  assume  so  sacred  an  office 
without  being  graciously  qualified  for  it ;  he 
therefore  felt  the  more  solicitous  that  he  should 
possess  a  piety  the  most  decided  and  unequi- 
vocal. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  written 


LIVE  OF  LECiH    RICHMOND,  209 

by  Wiiberforce,  in  answer  to  one  from  his  father, 
on  the  subject  which  lay  nearest  the  heart  of 
both,  will  give  some  idea  of  his  spiritual  state 
at  this  period  : — 

"  I  have  thought  and  considered  a  great  deal 
on  the  contents  of  your  last  letter ;  I  read  it,  I 
assure  you,  with  many  tears,  but  they  were 
fears  of  love  to  you,  and  of  sorrow  that  I  fell  so 
far  short  of  your  v/islies  and  reasonable  expect- 
ations. You  say  you  wish  me  first  to  be  a  true 
Christian,  and  th'en  a  true  minister ;  believe 
me,  when  I  say,  that  though  it  is  the  first,  the 
nearest,  and  the  dearest  wish  of  my  heart,  I 
would  not  have  a  desire,  not  the  slightest  de- 
sire of  entering  the  church  in  an  unfit  state  of 
mind.  I  would  rather  engage  in  the  meanest 
occupation  pf  life,  than  be  a  disgrace  to  the  re- 
ligion of  Christ,  by  entering  into  the  holy  pro- 
fession while  I  am  uiifit  for  it.  When  I  lock 
at  the  apostles  of  old,  and  mark  how  full  they 
were  of  love  to  Christ  and  their  fellovz-creatures; 
or  when  I  look  to  good  men  of  our  own  day 
who  tread  in  tlieir  steps,  I  shrink  from  assuming 
a  jjrofession  for  v^diich  I  cannot  but  knov/  my- 
self most  unv^'ortliy.  I  am  conscious  of  being 
a  great  sinner,  and  1  seem  to  myself  utterly 
incompetent  to  be  more  than  an  humble  disciple 
in  ihc  church  of  God.  But  I  know  that  the 
14 


210  LIFE  OF  LEGH    RICHMOND. 

blood  of  Jesus  Chri&t  cleanseth  from  all  sin, 
and  hi&  Spirit  can  enable  me,  sinful  as  I  am, 
to  love  and  serve  him.  I  have  much  to  be 
thankful  for.  I  ought  to  be  thankful  that  I  am 
permitted  to  think  about  these  things.  At  times 
I  have  felt  very  happy  in  prayer  and  reading 
the  Scriptures.  My  joy  has  been  such,  that  I 
seemed  ready  not  only  to  love  God,  but  give  up 
all  the  world  for  his  sake  ;  then  again  the  cares 
and  pleasures  of  life  have  laid  hold  of  me,  and 
sunk  me  into  sorrow. 

"  Pray  for  me,  my  dear  father,  that  my  waver- 
ing mind  may  be  fixed  in  the  paths  of  truth, 
and  may  choose  that  better  part,  which,  when 
once  obtained,  shall  never  be  taken  away  from 
me  ;  and  may  God  direct  me  to  that  profession 
of  life,  in  which  I  may  most  promote  his  glory, 
and  my  own  good,  and  that  of  my  fellow-crea- 
tures." 

The  above  was  written  in  1823,  when  Wil- 
berforce  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  was  just 
beginning  to  unfold  a  fine  understanding,  and 
his  intellectual  attainments  were  very  superior 
for  his  age.  His  mind  had  been  cultivated  with 
much  care;  and  the  same  degree  of  taste  and 
delicacy  of  feeling  so  prominent  in  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's character,  seemed  likewise  to  mark  that 
of  his  cherished  boy.    There  was  a  strong  affi- 


LIFE    OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  211 

nity  in  their  characters,  and  they  were  tenderly 
endeared  to  each  other.  Wilberforce  was  now 
preparing  for  college,  and  sanguine  in  the  hope 
that  he  might  distinguish  himself;  and  his 
father  was  looking  forward  with  deep  interest 
to  this  period. 

In  the  spring  of  the  following  year  his  friends 
began  to  be  alarmed  about  his  health.  He  took 
cold  from  a  wet  ride,  and  a  slight  cough  suc- 
ceeded. One  morning  in  the  month  of  May  he 
began  to  spit  blood,  and  exhibited  symptoms 
of  having  ruptured  a  blood  vessel.  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's fears  were  greatly  awakened,  as  appears 
from  a  note  in  one  of  his  papers  : — 

"  As  I  looked  on  him  that  morning  I  felt  a 
shock  which  seemed  to  shatter  me  to  the  very 
soul,  and  I  have  never  recovered  it." 

In  a  short  time  his  appearance  was  consider- 
ably altered,  his  spirits  were  depressed,  and 
symptoms  of  a  consumptive  nature  gradually 
developed  themselves.  A  journey  to  Scotland 
was  recommended,  with  a  view  to  consult  Dr. 
Stewart,  whose  method  of  treating  pulmonary 
disease  was  supposed  to  have  succeeded  in 
many  instances.  It  was  hoped  that  the  benefits 
of  his  advice,  with  the  effects  of  a  sea  voyage, 
and  change  of  air,  might  possibly  arrest  the 
progress  of  the  insidious  disorder. 


212  LIFE  OF  LEGH    RICHMOXD. 

When  this  journey  was  first  proposed  Mr. 
Richmond  was  greatly  agitated,  the  more  so 
because  it  Vv-as  impossible  that  at  that  time  he 
should  accompany  him,  and  he  dreaded  even  a 
short  separation  from  his  beloved  child.  His 
feelings  will  be  best  shown  by  the  following  ex- 
tract of  a  letter  written  at  the  time  : — 

"  St.  Ncots,  Monday  night. 

"  My  Ever-dear  Love, — No  one  knows,  or 
ever  can  know,  the  anxiety  which  I  have  felt 
on  our  dear  child's  account.  Little  as  it  may 
have  been  perceived,  I  have  been  inwardly 
agitated  beyond  expression,  and  this  must  apo- 
logize for  any  weakness  or  inconsistency  of 
which  I  have  been  guilty.  God  only  knows 
what  I  have  suffered.  I  have  been  taken  by 
surprise.  The  alarming  symptoms  in  the  dis- 
ease of  our  beloved  child  have  awakened  a 
thousand  feelings  and  fears.  I  have  reflected 
on  his  bodily,  but  much  more  acutely  on  his 
spiritual  state.  I  have  been  unwilling  to  sepa- 
rate from  him  under  all  the  probable,  or  at  least 
possible,  contingencies  of  the  disorder.  I  have 
wept  and  trembled.  I  have  mourned  over  my 
past  deficiencies  toward  him.  I  have  had  my 
hopes,  not  being  ignorant  of  the  exercises  of 
his  mind  for  j^ears  past.  Yet  I  have  had  my 
fears,  lest  he  should  have  fallen  from  his  first 


LIFE  OF    LEGH    RICHMOXD.      ^  213 

love,  and  lest  his  literary  pursuits. should  have 
weaned  his  heart  from  God.  For  more  than  a 
year  past,  I  have  hourly  meditated  on  the  course 
of  his  education  and  preparation  for  the  sacred 
ministry.  He  has  been  the  star  of  my  hopes, 
the  source  of  my  anxieties.  I  have  anticipated 
with  exquisite,  though  unuttered  joy  and  hope, 
his  entrance  on  the  glorious  work  of  preaching 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,  and  I  have 
also  been  full  of  anxiety  in  a  view  of  the  falls 
and  disappointments  which  yearly  occur  amidst 
the  contaminations  and  injurious  companionship 
of  a  college  career.  Yet  I  have  never  ceased 
to  hope  that  God  will  work  with  him  and  by 
him.  My  declining  years  have  been  cheered 
by  associations  connected  with  my  interesting 
boy;  but  the  Lord  now  sees  good, — and  blessed 
be  his  name, — to  hang  a  dark  curtain  between 
me  and  all  these  thoughts  and  visions.  Hence 
I  am  sometimes  fearful,  sad,  and  heavy. 

"  I  see  fully  the  necessity  and  propriety  of 
the  proposed  journey,  but  I  doubt  his  strength 
and  ability  to  encounter  the  fatigue  and  trial 
inseparable  from  it.  Chiefly  I  dread  being  ab- 
sent from  him  when  heart  and  strength  may 
fail,  and  I  may  only  see  him  again,  .sinking  into 
the  grave,  unaided,  unstrengthened,  unblessed 
by  his  affectionate  father. 


214  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

"  I  have  many  fears  mingled  with  the  hope 
of  his  recovery.  I  feel  very  anxious  from  day 
to  day.  May  God  overrule  all  these  things 
for  the  good  of  each  of  us.  Give  my  love  to 
all,  and  an  especial  blessing  to  Willy.* 

"Your  affectionate  L.  R." 

On  the  morning  of  the  day  fixed  for  his  de- 
parture Wilberforce  was  very  silent.  It  was 
his  first  separation  from  the  parental  roof,  and 
his  mind  became  deeply  aflfected  when  the 
parting  hour  arrived,  and  he  was  to  bid  farewell 
to  his  beloved  mother,  to  brothers  and  sisters, 
to  the  home  of  his  infancy,  and  to  almost  every 
person,  place,  and  thing  with  which  he  had  been 
accustomed  to  associate  happiness.  The  agita- 
tion of  his  feelings  increased  the  weakness  of 
his  frame  ;  he  looked  pale  and  languid ;  a  pain- 
ful contrast  to  the  smile  which  usually  played 
on  his  countenance. 

Mr.  Richmond  followed  his  son  in  the  course 
of  a  fortnight.  During  the  interval  of  separa- 
tion he  corresponded  with  him,  and  endeavour- 
ed, but  without  success,  to  draw  from  him  an 
unreserved  communication  respecting  his  spi- 
ritual state,  that  he  might  satisfy  himself  more 

*  The  name  by  which  Wilberforce  was  usually  called 
in  the  family. 


LIFE  OF   LEliU   RICHMOND,  215 

fully  of  the  reality  of  his  piety,  of  which  he 
had  some  doubts,  amidst  many  hopes. 

When  he  joined  his  son  in  Scotland,  the  lat 
ter  looked  much  better ;  the  voyage  had  agreed 
well  v/ith  him,  and  their  meeting  inspired  reci- 
procal feelings  of  hope  and  joy.  He  engaged 
a,  cottage  in  the  isle  of  Bute,  at  a  convenient 
distance  from  the  physician's  residence ;  and 
from  thence  they  made  frequent  excursions 
both  by  sea  and  land.  For  a  few  weeks  Wil- 
berforce  was  in  good  spirits,  and  apparently 
mendings  and  his  father  did  not  yet  despair  of 
his  recovery.  The  following  are  extracts  from 
two  letters,  written  about  this  time  to  the  family 
at  home ;  the  former  was  addressed  to  Mrs. 
Richmond,  the  latter  to  his  curate : — 

"  My  Dear  Love, — Here  we  are  in  some- 
thing like  an  earthly  paradise,  if  beauty,  subli- 
mity, and  diversity  of  scenery,  may  constitute 
one.  The  air  is  most  salubrious^  the  rides  de- 
lightful. I  am  glad  to  say  the  country  agrees 
well  with  Wilberforce,  who  is  stronger  and  in 
better  spirits  than  I  could  have  expected.  He 
varies  occasionally,  but  suffers  little  at  any 
time.  There  is  certainly  an  improvement  The 
northern  experiment  has  so  far  answered  that 
it  has  cheered  his  spirits  and  afforded  hira  re- 


218  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICPIMOND. 

creation  a^d  change  of  air.  I  have  frequent 
hopes  of  his  amendment.  We  have  therefore 
reason  for  gratitude,  Avhatever  may  be  the  in- 
scrutable designs  of  Providence.  My  mind  re- 
poses with  thankfulness  on  the  goodness  of 
God,  amidst  a  thousand  anxieties  respecting 
my  dear  boy.  We  are  constant  companions, 
and  have  much  Christian  intercourse  together. 
We  pass  daily  the  ho^r  after  breakfast  in  reli- 
gious exercises.  I  trust  we  are  going  on  use- 
fully and  prosperously.  I  think  I  am  in  my 
right  place  and  employment,  watching,  instruct- 
ing, nursing,  and  giving  myself  wholly  to  the 
comfort  of  my  boy  under  his  infirmities  and 
vicissitudes.  His  cough  is  troublesome  twice 
or  thrice  in  the  day.  He  pursues  a  bracing 
system,  and  a  generous  diet.  To  what  extent 
the  disease  may  be  preying  on  the  vitals,  I  dare 
not  conjecture.  His  present  state  and  appear- 
ance are  certainly  satisfactory,  but  the  com- 
plaint is  variable  and  flattering,  and  I  must  re- 
joice with  trembling.  O  !  for  a  quiet,  recon- 
ciled, patient,  waiting  mind  !  L.  R." 

"My  Dear  Friend  and  Brother, — During 
many  an  hour,  as  I  have  been  floating  on  the 
waves,  pacing  the  mountains  and  glens,  ad- 
miring the  islands  and  the  rocks,  tracing  the 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  '    217 

progress  of  sun  or  moon  upon  the  ocean  or 
landscape,  and  amidst  all,  fixing  an  anxious  and 
afiectionate  look  upon  our  dear  invalid  as  he 
sat  by  my  side  ;  have  I  dwelt  with  solicitude 
and  regard  on  the  domestic  and  parochial 
scenery  of  Turvey, — where  my  poor  boy  was 
born  and  trained  up  with  brothers  and  sisters 
no  less  loved  than  himself.  Our  intercourse, 
and  conversations  under  existing  circumstances, 
are  deeply  interesting  to  me.  He  is  upon  the 
whole  in  cheerful  spirits,  and  the  air  of  this 
delightful  island  particularly  suits  him.  I  am 
just  returned  from  a  hill  walk  with  him,  of  a 
mile  and  a  half,  and  have  been  surprised  at  the 
degree  of  strength  which  he  evinced.  The 
general  symptoms  are  just  now,  I  think,  more 
favourable.  Still  there  are  evident  marks  of 
deep-rooted  disease,  and  I  am  often  much  per- 
plexed by  the  fluctuations  in  his  case.  It  is 
one  in  which  I  feel  it  wrong  either  to  encour- 
age over-sanguine  expectations  of  permanent 
amendment,  or  to  give  way  to  any  over-despond- 
ing sensations  as  to  the  result.  Happily  he  is 
without  pain,  and  in  many  respects  he  enjoys 
himself.  He  delights  in  the  scenery  around 
us,  which  is  in  the  highest  degree  magnificent 
and  beautiful.  He  enters  with  his  wonted  taste 
into  mineral  and  geological  examinations,  and 


218  LIFE    OF   LEGH    RICHMOND. 

wanders  gently  by  the  sea-side,  hunting  for 
pebbles,  animals,  shells,  sea-weed,  &c.,  and  I 
wander  with  him.  Sometimes  a  little  exertion 
fatigues  him,  at  other  times  he  bears  considera- 
bly more  Avithout  complaining.  He  has  been 
a  thousand  miles  on  the  water  since  we  left 
London,  and  sailing  always  agrees  with  him. 
I  have  every  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  the 
plan  we  are  pursuing.  It  much  contributes  to 
his  strength  and  comfort,  and  peace  of  mind  ; 
and,  to  say  the  least,  has  checked  the  weaken- 
ing effects  of  the  disorder,  and  mingled  en- 
couragement with  apprehensions  which  might 
otherwise  have  gained  daily  ground.  He  is 
evidently  thinking  very  seriously  and  rightly 
about  his  state,  and  our  Christian  conversation 
forms  no  small  part  of  my  comfort,  and  I  trust 
I  may  add,  of  his  comfort  also.  Whatever  may 
be  God's  will,  I  feel  satisfied  that  the  present 
dispensation  is  profitable  to  us  both. 

"  Wilberforce  thanks  you  for  your  kind  let- 
ter. I  hope  he  will  soon  feel  able  to  answer 
it.  Dear  boy! — he  talks  with  hope  of  returning 
to  Turvey  with  amended  health,  and  telling 
you  in  person  how  much  he  enjoyed  the  scenery 
of  the  north.  Pray  for  him  and  me,  that  we 
may  lay  in  our  heavenly  Fathers  bosom  like 
children,  and  wait  his  pleasure  like  believers. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  219 

You  will  not  forget  the  other  dear  boys, — they 
are  in  your  hands  for  good,  and  may  God  bless 
you  to  them  all.  Believe  me,  yours  affection- 
ately, L.  R." 

One  of  Mr.  Richmond's  daughters,  who  was 
the  companion  of  her  father  and  brother  in  this 
visit,  says, — "About  this  time  my  father  began 
to  prepare  Wilberforce  to  receive  the  holy  sa- 
crament for  the  first  time,  and  they  used  to  re- 
tire together  every  day  after  breakfast  during 
our  stay  at  Rothsay.  Willy  listened  to  instruc- 
tion with  respectful  silence,  and  seeming  ac- 
quiescence in  the  sentiments  laid  before  him  : 
he  appeared  interested  and  anxious  to  be  re- 
ceived into  full  communion  with  the  church  of 
God,  and  was  often  observed  to  be  in  deep 
thought,  and  sometimes  greatly  depressed.  His 
unwillingness,  however,  to  free  communication 
rather  increased,  and  as  his  health  was  not 
materially  improved,  his  father's  anxiety  often 
amounted  to  agony,  and  he  could  not  conceal 
the  mental  agitation  which  afflicted  him.  He 
continued  to  weep  and  pray  in  secret  for  his 
child's  confidence.  From  Wilberforce's  con- 
versations at  a  later  period,  and  from  letters 
written  about  this  time,  unknown  to  his  father 
till  after  his  decease,  we  learned  what  had  been 


220  LIFE  OF   LEGil   RICilMOXD. 

the  deep  exercises  of  his  mind — that  he  was 
then  earnestly  seeking  the  knowledge  and  en- 
joyment of  God — that  eternal  things  were  daily 
subjects  of  his  contemplation  and  inquiry,  and 
that  he  also  suffered  much  from  an  insurmount- 
able repugnance  to  make  known  his  feelings, 
his  wishes,  and  wants.  He  told  us  afterward, 
that  though  he  suffered  more  from  suffering 
alone,  he  seemed  like  one  bound  with  a  chain, 
and  could  not  venture  to  lean  or  place  his  con- 
fidence on  any  human  help." 

After  spending  the  months  of  July,  August, 
and  September  in  Scotland,  the  party  set  out 
on  their  return  for  home,  spending  by  the  way 
a  few  days  in  Yorkshire.  Apparently  there 
was  little  change  in  the  state  of  Wilberforce's 
health,  yet  his  disease  had  been  gradually,  but 
certainly,  advancing.  He,  however,  not  being 
fully  aware  of  the  delusive  character  of  his 
complaint,  considered  himself  much  better, 
entertained  hopes  of  recovery,  and  expressed 
great  pleasure  in  returning  to  Turv^ey.  They 
reached  home  in  the  early  part  of  November, 
and  six  weeks  elapsed  with  little  or  no  altera- 
tion in  the  appearance  of  the  invalid. 

Mr.  Richmond,  in  a  letter  written  about  this 
time,  says, — "  Dear  Willy  is  much  the  same. 
I  wish  he  was  more  confidential  and  communi- 


LIFE  or  LEGH   RICHIvIOXD.  221 

cative  as  to  the  real  state  of  his  soul.  O  !  what 
would  I  give  for  one  voluntary  conversation  or 
letter,  detailing  the  former  and  present  history 
of  what  is  passing  in  his  mind.  I  think  well 
yet,  and  I  hope  it  is  comfortable  ;  but  I  want 
to  know  it  from  himself.  Many  a  secret  tear 
does  his  silence  cost  me. 

It  was  evident  to  all  around  him  that  his 
mind  was  at  this  time  strongly  exercised  on  the 
subject  of  religion.  "  He  never,"  says  one  of 
his  sisters,  "  spoke  of  death,  but  he  must  have 
been  sensible  of  increasing  inward  decay.  He 
could  not  hide  from  himself  or  his  family  the 
depression  and  anxiety  of  his  spirit.  He  was 
much  alone,  and  when  he  returned  from  his 
closet  to  the  family,  the  signs  of  sorrow  and  the 
traces  of  some  deep  mental  conflict  were  fre- 
quently visible  in  his  countenance.  The  Bible 
was  scarcely  ever  out  of  his  hand,  and  after  his 
return  from  the  north,  he  seldom  took  up  any 
other  book,  religious  or  literary  ;  which  was 
the  more  remarkable,  as  his  chief  occupation 
and  delight  had  ever  been  in  reading  authors 
on  almost  all  subjects.  He  would  now  sit  for 
hours,  and  nearly  whole  days,  over  the  Bible, 
in  deep  abstraction  ;  he  was  still  silent  to  all 
about  him,  and  it  v.^as  sometimes  more  than  my 
dear  father  could  bear,  to  witness  the  increasinor 


222  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

uneasiness  of  his  mind,  and  the  sufferings  of 
his  body.  After  so  many  ineffectual  efforts  to 
penetrate  the  real  state  of  his  heart,  our  afflicted 
parent  had  but  one  resource, — to  commit  his 
child  to  God,  in  faith,  and  under  the  pressure 
of  his  agonized  feelings  to  cry,  *  Thou  hast 
wounded,  and  wilt  heal ;  hast  broken,  and  wilt 
bind  up  again,' " 

Hitherto  Wilberforce's  decline  had  been  so 
gradual  as  scarcely  to  be  observed  by  those 
who  were  constantly  about  him.  He  rode  on 
horseback  daily,  sat  much  with  his  father  in  the 
study,  and  appeared  to  his  family  nearly  as 
usual,  except  that  an  increased  anxiety  was 
visible  in  his  countenance.  But  early  in  Janu- 
ary, 1825,  a  considerable  alteration  was  appa- 
rent ;  the  wasted  form,  the  hectic  look,  the 
sunken  eye,  and  the  increasing  difficulty  of  re- 
spiration, all  denoted  that  the  hour  of  dissolu- 
tion was  at  hand.  His  reluctance  to  a  free 
communication  on  the  subject  of  religious  ex- 
perience now  entirely  gave  way.  He  opened 
his  whole  heart  to  his  father,  told  him  minutely 
all  his  past  conflicts,  spoke  of  his  present  com- 
forts, and  begged  that  he  might  be  closely  ex- 
amined. He  would  sit  for  hours  with  his  father 
in  the  study,  supported  in  an  easy  chair,  telling 
him   all  he   had  gone  through,  entreating  his 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  223 

pardon  for  the  uneasiness  he  had  occasioned 
him  by  his  past  silence,  and  expressing  his 
great  joy  at  now  being  able  to  converse  with 
freedom,  and  mingle  their  souls  together  in  the 
delightful  interchange  of  confidence. 

Mr.  Richmond's  mind  was  now  greatly  re- 
lieved. He  says,  "  My  prayers  are  answered 
at  last,  the  door  of  utterance  is  opened,  and  I 
am  truly  thankful. — I  am  so  comforted,  by  my 
dear  boy's  unreserved  communications,  that  I 
frequently  forget  the  pain  of  parting. — The  close, 
deep,  and  searching  conversations  which  I  en- 
joyed with  him  produced  the  most  convincing 
demonstration  that  he  had  been  ripening  for 
glory,  beyond  our  thoughts  and  imagination." 

His  decay  was  exceedingly  rapid.  His  father 
was  ever  at  his  dying  pillow,  reading  to  him, 
praying  with  him,  and  comforting  him  by  day 
and  night.  At  length,  after  a  happy  and  even 
triumphant  experience  of  the  power  of  religion, 
he  breathed  his  last  gentle  sigh  in  the  arms  of 
his  afflicted  parent,  on  the  16th  of  January,  1825. 
Mr.  Richmond  pressed  the  lifeless  body  to  his 
bosom,  and  struggling  with  nature's  anguish, 
burst  into  a  flood  of  tears.  At  length  subduingr 
his  feelings,  he  said,  "  My  child  is  a  saint  in 
glory."  He  then  collected  his  family  in  his 
.study,   and    praised    God    for   his   mercy    and 


224  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHi"\iOND. 

loving-kindness.  He  opened  the  Bible,  and 
read  the  last  two  chapters  ^f  the  book  of  Reve- 
lation, and  then  knelt  down  and  prayed  with 
them.  It  was  a  moment  not  to  be  forgotten. 
He  appeared  so  absorbed  in  the  contemplation 
of  his  child's  entrance  into  heaven,  and  his 
union  with  the  spirits  of  the  just  made  perfect, 
as  to  be  scarcely  conscious  of  the  presence  of 
his  family  around  him. 

"  Between  the  death  and  funeral  of  my  bro- 
ther," says  Miss  Richmond,  "  my  dear  father's 
mind  was  often  severely  exercised.  Sometimes 
he  would  v/eep,  and  say, '  All  thy  waves  and 
storms  are  gone  over  me,'  and  then,  'Precious 
in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his 
saints.'  '  He  giveth  and  he  taketh  away,  and 
blessed  be  his  holy  name.'  He  Avould  rise 
early  in  the  morning  to  gaze  on  the  peaceful 
countenance  of  his  departed  child.  We  over- 
heard him  giving  vent  to  the  mingled  emotions 
of  his  heart  in  the  chamber  of  death.  But  he 
was  comforted  in  tribulation,  and  he  returned 
to  his  family,  to  soothe  their  sorrows  with  the 
comfort  wherewith  he  was  comforted  of  God. 
He  said  little,  but  his  calm  and  subdued  spirit 
bespoke  Christian  resignation.  He  used  to 
teach  us  that  disquiet  was  the  result  of  distrust, 
and  we  saw  in  his  silent  submission  an  exam- 


LIFE   OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  225 

pie  of  his  own  principle,  that  his  heart  trusted 
in  God." 

Mr,  Richmond  had  for  many  years  been  ac- 
customed to  write  pastoral  letters  to  his  parish- 
ioners, which  were  read  in  the  school-room  to 
those  who  chose  to  attend.  The  following  was 
written  soon  after  the  death  of  his  son  : — 

"My  Dear  Friends,  Neighbours,  and  Pa- 
rishioners,— In  the  midst  of  my  sorrows  at 
the  removal  of  my  dearly-loved  child,  I  wish 
you  to  know  that  the  Lord  supports  me  won- 
derfully, I  cannot  yet  come  out  among  you, 
but  I  cannot  be  quite  silent.  I  have  therefore 
desired  my  friend  and  fellow-labourer  to  read 
this  letter  to  you.  I  have  preached  the  gospel 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  you  more  than  nine- 
teen years,  and  through  his  mercy  I  have  seen 
some  precious  fruits  of  these  labours  among 
you,  but  never  have  I  witnessed  a  more  beau- 
tiful or  triumphant  evidence,  that  I  have  not 
taught,  preached,  or  lived  in  vain,  than  in  the 
case  of  my  dear  son,  now  a  sharer  of  the  Re- 
deemer's glory  in  heaven. — I  am  persuaded 
there  are  many  of  you  who  feel  deeply  for  me. 
You  can  weep  with  me  when  I  weep,  and  re- 
joice with  me  when  I  rejoice.  You  have  prayed 
for  my  child.  It  was  the  delight  of  his  heart 
15 


226  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOXD, 

to  hear  of  your  love  and  sympathy,  and  he  dwelt 
on  the  interest  you  took  m  his  welfare,  to  the 
very  day  of  his  death.  He  was  indeed  a  boy 
of  no  common  mind,  and  the  Lord  sanctified 
his  great  natural  endowments  to  his  own  glory. 
I  feel  more  and  more  every  hour  what  a  trea- 
sure I  have  lost ;  but  at  the  same  time  I  see 
more  and  more  what  a  blessedness  he  has 
attained.  I  have  been  watching  him  at  home 
and  abroad,  with  a  parent's  eye  and  a  Chris- 
tian's heart,  both  for  his  body  and  soul,  ever 
since  disease  fastened  on  his  frame  last  sum- 
mer, and  no  one  will  ever  know  what  my  anx- 
ieties have  been  during  that  period.  But  I  trust 
God  meant  all  for  my  good.  The  trial,  severely 
as  I  have  felt  it,  has  shown  me  more  of  myself, 
and  more  of  my  God.  My  prayers  for  my  dear 
child  have  been  abundantly  answered.  Blessed 
be  God  !  he  was  enabled  to  disclose  his  whole 
heart  to  me,  and  to  others,  before  he  was  taken 
away.  He  conversed  with  many  in  a  most 
useful  and  edifying  manner,  exhorting  them  to 
prayer,  faith,  and  holiness.  He  could  tell  them 
all,  that  he  knew  in  whom  he  tnisted,  and  could 
look  at  death  with  perfect  peace.  Believe  me, 
then,  when  I  tell  you,  that  though  I  am  greatly 
affected,  and  humbled  in  the  dust  with  a  sense 
of  sin  and  sorrow,  yet  that  my  mercies  are  so 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  227 

abounding  in  abounding  chastisement,  that  I 
can,  and  do  rejoice  in  tribulation.  O  !  may  it 
work  patience,  and  patience  experience,  and 
experience  hope,  and  may  hope  make  me  more 
faithful  and  diligent,  that  I  be  not  ashamed  of 
the  gospel  in  principle  or  practice,  for  your 
sakes,  as  well  as  my  own.  It  is  a  great  com- 
fort to  me  now,  as  I  am  kept  from  ministering 
to  you  for  a  season,  that  you  have  one  among 
you  who  preaches  the  same  truth,  and  in  the 
same  spirit.  May  our  common  Lord  and  Sa- 
viour bless  him,  and  you,  and  me  together.  I 
beg  your  prayers,  at  this  season  in  particular, 
for  me  and  mine. — Pray  especially  for  those 
who  watch  for  your  souls — that  we  may  expe- 
rience help  and  comfort  in  ourselves,  and  dis- 
pense the  word  of  life  with  more  zeal  and  love. 
Pray  that  there  may  be  no  divisions  or  wander- 
ings of  heart  among  us — that  we  may  be  all  of 
one  mind  and  judgment  in  the  things  which  make 
for  our  everlasting  peace.  Pray  that  the  young 
children  may  be  brought  up  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord.  My  dear  boy  sent 
them  a  message  on  his  dying  bed,  which  was 
read  to  them  a  short  time  before  his  believing, 
happy  soul  entered  into  rest.  May  the  whole 
school  remember  it  for  his  sake,  and  their  souls' 
sake.   God  bless  you  all,  my  dear  friends    lean- 


228  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND, 

not  doubt,  but  that  you  will  bear  me  on  your 
hearts  to  a  throne  of  grace.  Your  affectionate 
minister,  L,  Richmond." 

Mr.  Richmond  purposed  to  have  written  a 
memoir  of  Wilberforce.  The  blessing  which 
had  attended  the  perusal  of  his  tracts  encou- 
raged him  to  put  on  record  the  piety  of  his  son, 
which  he  trusted  would  have  proved  no  less 
consoling  and  strengthening  to  young  Chris- 
tians, than  that  of  the  dairyman's  daughter,  or 
young  cottager.  The  design,  however,  was 
never  carried  into  effect.  "  There  are,"  says 
his  daughter,  "  a  number  of  papers  in  my  fa- 
ther's hand- writing,  relating  to  my  brother's 
character  and  dying  hours,  which  are  indeed  so 
unconnected  and  unfinished,  that  scarcely  any 
use  can  now  be  made  of  them  ;  but  they  show 
how  interesting  a  detail  the  memoir  would  have 
been  in  his  hands.  He  would  sit  for  hours  in 
his  study,  perusing  and  adding  to  these  frag- 
ments; but  the  excess  of  feeling  and  mental 
agitation,  which  the  contemplation  and  remi- 
niscence of  the  past  never  failed  to  renew, 
greatly  impaired  his  health,  and  forced  him  to 
lay  aside  his  purpose." 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOJND.  229 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

DEATH     OF     MR.     RICHMOND'S     ELDEST     SON  ; 
DECLINE    OF     HIS    OWN    HEALTH. 

Mr.  Richmond  was  not  a  little  comforted, 
under  his  late  afflicting  bereavement,  by  the 
blessed  effects  which  it  produced  in  his  con- 
gregation. There  appeared  to  be  a  general 
revival  of  religion  in  the  parish  among  both 
young  and  old,  but  especially  the  former ;  and 
scarcely  a  day  passed  in  which  some  one  did 
not  anxiously  inquire,  "  What  must  I  do  to  be 
saved  ?"  The  congregations  were  large  and  at- 
tentive, and  Mr.  Richmond  gave  himself  up  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry  with  redoubled  dili- 
gence. He  went  daily  from  cottage  to  cottage 
among  the  poor,  warning,  exhorting,  comfort- 
ing, and  confirming  the  souls  of  the  disciples 
in  the  grace  of  God.  He  used  to  meet  persons 
nearly  every  evening  in  the  week,  for  prayer 
and  exposition  of  the  Scriptures  ;  and  on  Sun- 
day nights,  after  his  fatiguing  duties  in  the 
church,  he  met  those  who  had  been  newly 
awaked  to  spiritual  life.  His  heart  seemed 
particularly  interested  in  this  last  little  party, 
whom  he  used  to  call  his  "  spiritual  nursery." 


230  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

He  was  yet  more  comforted  by  the  gracious 
influence  produced  in  his  own  family  by  Wil- 
berforce's  happy  end.  The  seed  which  he  had 
sown  with  many  prayers,  and  watered  with 
many  tears,  though  it  had  hitherto  lain  dormant, 
now  began  to  spring  up  to  the  consolation  of 
his  bereaved  heart,  two,  at  least,  of  his  children 
being  at  this  time  brought  to  the  knowledge 
and  experience  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 
Thus  his  dear  boy's  death  appeared  to  be  the 
life  of  many  souls,  who,  to  use  Mr.  Richmond's 
own  language,  "  were  the  spiritual  roses  bloom- 
ing on  the  grave  of  his  Willy." 

In  the  summer  of  this  year  he  visited  JiOndon, 
from  which  place  he  addressed  the  following 
to  two  of  his  children  : — 

"  London,  June,  1825. 

"  Dear  F.  and  Dear  H., — Between  the 
morning  and  evening  services  of  this  day,  I 
have  a  leisure  hour,  in  which  I  feel  as  if  I 
should  like  to  sit  down  and  talk  with  you  two. 
I  miss  our  early  morning  exercises  much,  and 
this  for  the  present  must  be  the  substitute  on 
my  part.  I  have  nothing  very  particular  to  re- 
count, only  that  I  have  been  to  a  few  places, 
where  I  was  last  summer  with  my  beloved 
Wilberforce,  and  I  have  indulged  the  silent 
tear  as  I   retraced   incidents   never  again    to 


LIFE  OF   LEGH   RICHMOND.  231 

recur.  At  some  places,  where  my  friends 
remember  his  visits  and  conversations,  I  am 
asked,  '  How  he  is  V  with  interest  in  their  man- 
ner, and  have  to  tell  how  he  has  taken  his  flight 
to  another  and  a  better  world ;  and  it  aff'ects  me 
greatly  so  to  do.  I  know  not  how  it  is  with 
me,  in  regard  to  that  dear  boy's  loss,  but  I  talk 
less  and  think  more  than  ever  about  him.  *  * 

"  It  is  my  weakness,  my  fault,  my  misfor- 
tune, that  I  cannot  express  more  of  my  mind 
and  feelings  to  you  both.  Dear,  dear  Henry  ! 
you  are  now  become  the  prop  and  stay  of  my 
declining  years ;  think  much  of  tho  station  in 
which  God  has  placed  you.  My  first-born  is  a 
distant  wanderer,  and  God  knows  when  or 
whether  I  shall  see  him  again  on  earth.  My 
second  boy  is  taken  from  me,  you  are  my  third, 
but  now  my  first.  Be  such  to  your  two  bro- 
thers, particularly  to  Legh  ;  he  needs  your  con- 
stant, superintending  care  ;  watch  over  him,  do 
not  leave  him  to  seek  unprofitable  associates  ; 
cherish  the  little  germ  of  hope,  which  God  has 
planted  in  my  bosom  concerning  him  ;  let  your 
example,  influence,  and  your  kind  attentions, 
encourage  him  in  every  good  way,  and  think 
much  of  your  own  soul.     *     *     * 

"  And  my  Fanny  also ;  are  you  as  much 
aiive  to  spiritual  things,  as  when  you  hastened 


232  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RrCHMON'D, 

to  the  dying  bed  of  dear  Willy, — as  when  you 
wept  over  his  coffin  ?  My  child,  dread  all  de- 
cays, aad  may  the  flame  of  spiritual  piety  never 
grow  dim  amidst  the  mists  of  unworthier  specu- 
lations! Visit  the  cottages, — forsake  not  the 
poor,  for  yo-vir  father''s  sake, 

"  I  have  been  this  morning  where  you  might 
least  have  expected  to  find  me  ;  but  I  went  not 
from  curiosity,,  but  from  a  conscientious  wish 
to  know  and  judge  for  myself,  viz.,  to  the  Ro- 
man Catholic  Chape-1  in  Mso-rlields,  to  hear 
high  mass,  I  was  astonished  at  the  decora- 
tions, the  gorgeorus  dresses  of  the  bishop  and 
priests,  charmed  with  the  exquisite  beauty  of 
the  music,  disgusted  at  the  ceremonial  mum- 
mery of  the  service,  and  unconvinced  by  the 
bishop's  eloquent  sennon  in  defence  of  transub^ 
stantiation.  It  was  all  illusion,  delusion,  and 
collusion.  The  service  lasted  near  four  hours. 
I  bless  God  more  than  ever  for  true  Protest- 
antism.    *     *     * 

"My  dear,  my  most  dear  children  J  press 
forward  to  the  prize  of  the  mark  of  our  high 
calling  in  Christ  Jesus.  There  is  an  immense 
gulf  to  be  passed.  '■  Who  is  sufficient  for  these 
things  r  h.  R." 

A  few  days  after  the  date  of  this  letter  Mn 


LIFE  OF   LEGH   RICHMOND.  233 

Richmond's  third  daughter  was  married  to  the 
Rev.  John  Ayre,  who  was  then  his  curate. 
The  affection  displayed  by  the  A'illagers  on  this 
occasion  was  truly  gratifying  to  the  feelings  of 
the  family.  When  the  party  arrived  at  the 
church  they  found  the  walls  decorated  with 
evergreens,  and  the  pavement  leading  to  the 
altar  strewed  with  flowers.  Two  hearts  formed 
with  the  heads  of  flowers,  and  the  words,  "  May 
God  bless  you,"  traced  in  the  same  manner  un- 
derneath, exhibited  both  the  taste  and  the  affec- 
tion of  the  parish  clerk.  This  rustic  attempt 
at  elegance,  so  unsought  for  and  unexpected, 
was  a  pleasing  testimony  to  the  interest  excited 
in  the  parish  by  every  event  connected  with 
their  beloved  pastor. 

Before  his  daughter  left  the  paternal  roof 
Mr.  Richmond  manifested  his  solicitude  for  her 
future  welfare,  by  giving  her  proper  admoni- 
tions for  the  government  of  her  conduct  as  a 
Christian  and  the  wife  of  a  Christian  minister.* 

Mr.  Richmond  was  much  troubled  in  his 
mind  by  the  predilection  which  his  youngest 
son  began  to  manifest  for  a  military  life.  Of 
this  choice  he  expressed  his  disapprobation  in 

*  This  young  woman  did  not  long  survive  her  father. 
She  died  in  great  peace,  about  eighteen  months  after  the 
death  of  her  revered  parent. 


234  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

the  Strongest  terms.  "  Any  thing  but  this," 
said  he,  "  any  thing  but  this  ;  the  very  mention 
of  a  military  life  fills  me  with  horror;  I  cannot 
bear  to  think  of  a  child  of  mine  engaging  in 
scenes  of  bloodshed  and  destruction. — Hating 
war  as  I  do  from  my  very  heart ;  convinced 
as  I  am  of  the  inconsistency  of  it  with  real 
Christianity,  and  looking  on  the  profession  of 
arms  as  irreconcilable  with  the  principles  of 
the  gospel,  I  should  mourn  greatly  if  one  of  my 
boys  chose  so  cruel,  and,  generally  speaking, 
so  profligate  a  line  of  life. — No  consideration 
on  earth  could  extort  my  consent.  It  would 
make  me  really  miserable." 

At  the  time  Mr.  Richmond  was  watching  the 
decay  of  his  beloved  son,  his  own  frame  was 
giving  way ;  and  his  health  was  now  in  a  very 
precarious  state.  Of  this  he  seemed  to  be  fully 
aware,  though  he  said  nothing  to  his  family, 
but  continued  his  pastoral  labours  as  usual ; 
and  when  any  of  them  expressed  their  fears 
respecting  him,  his  usual  and  only  reply  was, 
"  I  must  work  while  it  is  called  to-day.  The 
night  cometh  when  no  man  can  work." 

In  the  month  of  August  he  paid  another  visit 
to  the  Isle  of  Wight,  in  the  hope  that  the  ex- 
cursion would  prove  beneficial  to  his  health  and 
spirits.   While  there  his  feeble  frame  sustained 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  235 

another  severe  shock  from  a  report  of  the  death 
of  his  eldest  son,  which  then  reached  him. 

Of  the  departing  of  this  young  man  for  a 
foreign  land  we  have  already  given  an  account. 
Eleven  years  had  now  elapsed,  and  during  that 
interval  many  singular  and  affecting  circum- 
stances had  occurred.  He  had  been  thrice 
shipwrecked ;  and  on  one  occasion  he  with  a 
few  others  were  all  who  got  safe  to  shore.  In 
his  youth  his  wayward  course  had  been  a 
source  of  much  sorrow  to  his  parents,  but  in  a 
far  distant  land  his  heart  was  turned  to  the  God 
of  his  father ;  and  his  friends  in  England  had 
received  the  most  satisfactory  testimony  of  his 
conversion.  His  shipwrecks  and  losses,  his 
exposure  to  hardships  by  night  and  day,  the 
insalubrity  of  the  climate,  and,  above  all,  the 
sudden  death  of  a  pious  young  lady  to  whom 
he  was  engaged  to  be  married,  had  so  seriously 
injured  his  health  that  he  had  determined  to 
return  to  England  in  the  hope  of  re-establishing 
it,  and  had  written  home  to  that  effect. 

The  expected  return  of  Nugent  filled  every 
heart  in  Turvey  rectory  with  delightful  antici- 
pations. The  whole  family  were  eager,  either 
to  embrace  a  relative  whom  they  scarcely  knew 
but  by  report,  or  to  renew  an  affection  which 
lime  and  distance  had  strengthened  rather  than 


236  LIFE   OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

effaced.  Mr.  Richmond's  sensitive  feelings 
were  strained  to  the  highest  pitch  in  expecta- 
tion of  meeting  his  dear  sailor-boy,  and  he  was 
preparing  to  welcome  the  "  son  who  was  lost 
and  is  found,  was  dead  and  is  alive  again," 
when  the  rumour  of  his  death  reached  him. 

Not  being  fully  assured  of  the  truth  of  the 
report,  the  family  were  for  some  months  in  a 
state  of  the  most  painful  suspense.  At  length 
a  letter  was  received  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thom- 
ason,  a  missionary  at  Calcutta,  stating  that  Nu- 
gent had  left  that  place  in  July,  1824,  in  a  ves- 
sel bound  to  the  Mauritius,  intending  to  pro- 
ceed from  thence  to  England:  that  he  had  pre- 
viously been  seized  with  a  fever,  from  which 
he  was  not  perfectly  recovered  at  the  time  of 
setting  sail :  that  afterward,  being  exposed  to 
very  severe  weather,  he  experienced  a  relapse, 
and  was  occasionally  delirious,  but  still  did  not 
excite  ideas  of  immediate  danger :  that  he 
went  to  bed  one  night  at  twelve  o'clock,  and 
the  next  morning  at  six,  to  the  grief  and  sur- 
prise of  all  on  board,  he  was  found  dead  in  his 
cabin.  A  little  ivory  box,  containing  a  few 
jewels  and  gold  chains,  which  he  had  intended 
as  presents  to  his  sisters,  was  found  in  his 
pocket  after  his  decease.  On  the  inside  of  the 
cover,  the  following  lines  were  written  in  his 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  237 

own  hand  in   pencil,  apparently  a  short  time 
before  his  death: — • 

'*  Where  vice  has  held  its  empire  long, 
'Twill  not  endure  the  least  control  : 
None  but  a  Power  divinely  strong 
Can  turn  the  current  of  the  soul. 

Great  God,  I  own  thy  power  divine. 
That  works  to  change  this  heart  of  mine : 
I  would  be  form'd  anew,  and  bless 
The  wonders  of  redeeming  grace." 

"  Both  the  mind  and  body  of  my  dear  father," 
says  Miss  Richmond,  "  were  shattered  by  this 
intelligence.  But  though  suffering  most  acute- 
ly, he  was,  as  in  the  former  bereavement,  the 
comforter  and  stay  of  his  family;  concealing 
his  own  feelings,  to  mitigate  theirs. 

"  He  used  to  be  much  at  home  at  this  time, 
communing  with  his  own  heart,  in  his  cham- 
ber, in  silence,  and  no  doubt  it  was  his  fervent 
and  frequent  devotion  which  strengthened  him 
'  to  comfort  those  who  were  in  trouble  by  the 
comfort  wherewith  he  himself  was  comforted 
of  God.' 

"  He  had  shut  himself  up  for  six  weeks,  and 
never  appeared  in  public,  except  on  the  Sun- 
day ;  but  vi^hen  he  heard  of  the  anxiety  of  the 
people  to  see  him,  and  share  the  sorrows  of 
their  beloved  pastor,  he  desired  them  to  assem- 


238  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

ble  in  the  school-room,  and  he  went  there  to 
meet  them.  It  was  evidently  too  trying  and 
exciting  for  his  weak  frame.  For  some  time 
he  could  not  speak;  but  when  he  recovered 
himself,  his  address  was  inexpressibly  touch- 
ing, and  yet  comforting.  The  people  wept  with 
him,  and  felt  his  sorrows  as  their  own.  He  told 
them,  that  conscious  of  their  interest  in  him, 
and  of  their  anxiety  to  know  his  state  of  mind 
under  this  afflicting  rod,  he  had  come  on  pur- 
pose to  tell  them  what  God  could  do  for  the 
soul  that  looked  to  him  for  help ;  that  they 
might  magnify  the  Lord  with  him,  and  exalt 
his  name  together.  He  said,  that  while  he  had 
been  shut  up  in  the  solitude  of  his  study,  for 
the  last  six  weeks,  in  silent  communing  with 
God,  he  had  learned  to  feel,  '  it  is  good  for  me 
that  I  have  been  afflicted,' — that  the  experience 
of  his  soul  during  that  trying  season  had  been, 
'  in  the  multitude  of  my  thoughts  within  me  thy 
comforts  have  refreshed  my  soul.' 

"  He  now  resumed  his  usual  cottage  meet- 
ings ;  and  though  his  constitution  was  evidently 
sinking,  and  he  was  labouring  far  beyond  his 
strength,  he  could  not  be  persuaded  to  relax  or 
lessen  any  of  his  pastoral  engagements.  We 
earnestly  pressed  him  to  retire  for  a  season 
from   his   duties ;    but,   contrary  to   his  usual 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  239 

yielding  temper,  he  remained  inflexible,  adding, 
either  '  it  does  not  injure  me  ;'  or,  '  I  shall  suffer 
more  in  my  mind,  by  giving  them  up,  than  in 
my  body,  by  attending  to  them.'  The  last  year 
of  his  life  he  had  a  constant  irritating  cough, 
which  finally  settled  upon  his  lungs  ;  and  was 
no  doubt  much  increased  by  such  frequent 
talking  and  exposure  to  the  night  air. 

"  I  was  his  constant  companion  in  his  visits 
to  the  cottages  ;  and  he  often  looked  so  worn 
and  fatigued,  and  his  spirits  sometimes  so  much 
affected,  apparently  with  thoughts  which  he  did 
not  express,  that  I  have  turned  away  to  weep, 
and  felt  undefinable  sensations  of  dread,  as  the 
idea  crossed  my  mind  that  he  was  meditating 
on  the  final  separation. 

"  His  public  discourses  at  this  time  were 
particularly  awakening  as  well  as  confirming. 
While  he  warned  his  flock,  with  deep  solemni- 
ty, '  lest  any  man  fail  of  the  grace  of  God,'  he 
enlarged  on  the  divine  promises,  the  glory  of 
the  Saviour,  and  the  blessedness  of  the  redeem- 
ed. A  poor  woman  remarked  to  me — '  Your 
dear  papa  preaches  as  if  he  was  near  home.' " 
The  last  of  Mr.  Richmond's  public  la- 
bours for  the  religious  societies  with  which 
he  was  connected  was  in  the  summer  of  1826, 
when   he   attended  the   anni\'ersaries  at  Nor- 


240  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

wich  ;  after  which  he  proceeded  to  Cromer,  a 
bathing  place  in  Norfolk,  for  the  benefit  of  his 
health.  He  had  for  some  time  laboured  under 
an  affection  of  the  lungs,  which  no  change  of 
air  or  power  of  medicine  had  hitherto  succeeded 
in  removing ;  though  he  experienced  a  tem- 
porary revival  of  strength  and  spirits  by  his 
excursion,  and  returned  home  with  improved 
health. 

But  the  scenes  of  his  former  afflictions  re- 
newed the  depression  of  his  spirits.  Amidst 
the  affectionate  welcomes  of  his  family,  he 
seemed  to  feel  yet  more  keenly  the  absence  of 
his  departed  son.  He  would  say,  "  No  time 
nor  succession  of  events  can  wean  my  affec- 
tions from  the  chancel  vault."  Though  increased 
tenderness  marked  his  intercourse  with  his  re- 
maining children,  his  heart  still  wept  over  his 
beloved  Wilberforce.  There  was  a  visible 
change  in  his  appearance,  and  his  family  felt 
cause  for  alarm.  He  said  little,  but  his  mind 
seemed  to  be  greatly  exercised.  He  sometimes 
repaired  to  the  grave  of  his  son,  remaining 
long,  absorbed  in  his  own  reflections.  The 
silence  and  solitude  of  this  hallowed  spot 
soothed  and  comforted  his  mind:  "  the  waters 
of  healing  issued  from  the  sanctuary,"  and  he 
probably  delighted  to  contemplate  the  blessed- 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  241 

hbss  of  the  eternal  world,  in  such  immediate 
connection  with  his  own  dear  child.  On  one 
occasion,  accompanied  by  his  daughter,  he  sat 
nearly  an  hour,  in  deep  musing,  without  lifting 
his  eyes  from  the  stone  that  covered  the  beloved 
remains.  At  length  rising,  he  exclaimed — 
*' Thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth  us  the  vic- 
tory, through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ !" 

The  following  interesting  meditation,  which 
was  written  in  the  privacy  of  his  study,  to  which 
he  was  confined  by  indisposition,  will  further 
disclose  the  state  of  his  feelings  : — 

"  I  am  this  day  staying  at  home,  during  di- 
vine service  in  the  afternoon,  owing  to  a  cold, — 
Mr.  Ayre  being  here  to  assist  me.  The  last 
Sunday  afternoon  on  which  I  was  similarly  de- 
tained was  in  December,  1824,  with  my  dear 
Wilberforce ;  he  was  then  within  a  few  weeks 
of  his  decease.  This  day  twelvemonth*  was 
the  day  preceding  his  death. 

"  Dea  r,  blessed  boy !  in  the  midst  of  our  daily 
domestic  cheerfulness  of  spirits,  now  my  heart 
moans  and  mourns  in  tenderest  recollections ! 
I  see  the  dear  child  in  all  his  debilities  of  body; 

*  This  is  an  error  ;  it  should  have  been,  "  this  day  two 
years,'"  as  Wilberforce  died  January,  1825,  and  this  paper 
is  dated  1827. 

16 


242  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

I  hear  him  speak, — I  retrace  the  look  of  his 
eye, — I  hang  upon  his  spiritual  language, — his 
affectionate  expressions, — his  devotedness  to 
God, — his  faithful  admonitions, — his  languid 
frame, — his  sweet  countenance, — his  willing- 
ness to  die. 

"  I  lament  my  own  want  of  more  feeling  : 
and  yet  I  feel  much.  O  blessed  God  I  help 
me  ;  strengthen  me  ;  save  me  !  Make  his  death 
to  be  a  source  of  life  to  me,  through  the  death 
of  Christ, — sanctifying  his  memory  to  my  soul ! 
I  want  to  see  more  deep  and  solemn  serious- 
ness among  my  children  at  this  time  ;  and  yet 
I  know  they  are  not  deficient  in  much  good 
feeling  on  this  subject.  Lord,  help,  bless,  and 
save  them  also ! 

"  My  Nugent,  too,  is  since  gone — or  rather, 
I  have  since  heard  it ;  for  he  died  some  months 
before  his  brother,  little  as  we  apprehended  it 
when  Wilberforce  was  so  beautifully  speaking 
about  him,  a  few  days  previous  to  his  own  death. 
"O,  my  dear  boys;  your  memorials  are  most 
dear  to  my  soul! 

"  I  tremble  when  I  think  how  poorly  I  have 
profited  by  these  parental  warnings  ;  yet  I  take 
some  encouragement  from  the  feelings  which  I 
am  conscious  I  retain.  Lord,  increase  their 
influence !    Tn  the  midst  of  life  I  am  in  death. 


LIFE  OF   LEGH   RICHMOND.  243 

Who  may  be  taken  away  next  ?  I  sometimes 
have  fearful  forebodings — -I  look  aroimd  my 
beloved  little  circle,  and  sigh.  I  check  these 
feelings  again,  and  am  ashamed  of  my  weak- 
ness. Lord  !  make  Christ  to  be  every  thing  to 
me — and  then  all  will,  all  must,  be  well.  0! 
keep  my  Fanny  in  a  serious  frame.  Let  her 
not  forget  her  past  impressions !  Bless  my 
Henry,  and  preserve  him  in  a  steady  mind,  un- 
tainted by  levities !  Cherish  my  poor  Legh, 
and  let  not  my  good  hopes  concerning  him  be 
blighted !  Bless  the  little  ones,  and  make  them 
thine  own  for  ever ! 

"  Pardon  my  weakness,  O  God !  and  bless 
this  whole  meditation  to  my  soul.  L.  R. 

'  Turvcy,  Sunday,  Jan.  15,  1827." 

There  can  be  little  doubt  that  Mr.  Rich- 
mond's life  was  shortened  by  the  extraordinary 
exertions  which  he  made  when  on  his  mission- 
ary tours.  Besides  the  fatigue  of  hastening 
from  one  place  to  another  to  fulfil  his  engage- 
ments, Mr.  Richmond  generally  preached  three 
sermons  on  the  sabbath,  and  often  five  or  six 
more  in  the  course  of  the  week.  His  fatigue 
was  also  increased  by  the  crowded  congrega- 
tions that  assembled  to  hear  him.  The  hours 
which  should  have  been  given  to  a  cessation 


244  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

from  labour,  were  unceasingly  occupied,  in 
conducting  family  worship,  and  conversing  at 
every  meal  with  persons  who  were  invited  to 
meet  him.  On  these  occasions  he  took,  as  was 
expected,  a  prominent  part  in  the  conversation ; 
which,  however  useful  to  others,  must  have 
insensibly  exhausted  his  strength.  Mr.  Grim- 
shawe,  who  accompanied  him  in  some  of  these 
tours,  often  expressed  a  fear  that  he  would  be- 
come a  wreck  in  mind  and  body,  as  the  inevi- 
table result  of  such  continued  exertions.  His 
reply  was  generally  the  same,  "  I  am  not  fa- 
tigued ;  I  do  not  feel  it :"  but  it  was  impossible 
not  to  entertain  the  apprehension,  that  imbe- 
cility, or  a  premature  old  age,  must  ultimately 
succeed  such  unceasing  and  exhausting  efforts. 


LIFE  OF    LEGH    RICHMOND.  245 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

CLOSING      SCENE     OF     MR.     RICHMOND'S     LIFE  ; 
LETTER  FROM   HIS  WIDOW. 

We  are  now  fast  approaching  the  termination 
of  the  life  and  ministry  of  this  excellent  man. 
"My  dear  father's  cough,"  says  Miss  Rich- 
mond, "  still  continued ;  he  became  very  thin, 
and  every  one  remarked  how  ill  he  looked. 
But  he  appeared  not  to  notice  it,  and  we  thought 
he  did  not  apprehend  danger  :  we  have  since 
found  that  we  were  mistaken,  and  that  he 
always  looked  upon  the  cough  as  a  summons 
from  above  ! 

"  He  abated  nothing  of  his  work,  and  still 
continued  his  visits  to  the  poor.  It  was  in  the 
cottage  of  sorrow,  and  by  the  bed  of  the  dying, 
that  my  beloved  parent's  character  appeared 
the  brightest.  He  was  the  father  as  well  as 
the  minister  of  his  people  ;  and  they  brought 
all  their  difficulties  and  troubles  to  him,  and 
ever  found  in  him  a  tender  and  judicious  advi- 
ser. He  had  particular  pleasure  in  conversing 
with  the  pious  poor,  and  said  he  had  learned 
some  of  his  best  lessons  from  them ;  that  the 
religion  of  the  poor  in  general  was  more  spirit- 


246  LIFE   OF   LEGH    RICHMOND. 

ual  and  sincere  than  that  of  the  rich  ;  that  they 
lived  more  simply  the  life  of  faith  o-n  the  Son 
of  God.  I  have  seen  my  beloved  father  in 
public,  when  the  gaze  of  admiration  was  fixed 
on  him,  and  in  the  private  drawing-room  I  have 
beheld  him  the  delight  and  entertainment  of 
the  company,  and  my  heart  has  exulted  in  him ; 
but  it  was  when  smoothing  the  pillow  of  poverty 
and  death,  that  I  most  loved  and  venerated 
him  ;  and  discovered  the  image  of  that  Saviour 
'  who  went  about  doing  good.'  " 

In  the  month  of  February,  1827,  he  went  to 
Cambridge,  to  enter  his  son  Henry*  at  the  uni- 
versity. This  was  a  subject  of  great  solicitude 
to  his  mind,  and  he  passed  many  anxious  days 
and  sleepless  nights  in  anticipation  of  the 
event.  He  well  knew  the  temptations  incident 
to  a  college  life,  and  he  dreaded  lest  they  should 
prove  the  means  of  injuring  the  religious  prin- 
ciples and  corrupting  the  morals  of  his  son. 
The  subject  seemed  to  absorb  his  thoughts, 
and  depress  his  spirits  :  "What,"  said  he,  "if 
my  son  should  fall  a  victim  to  the  associations 
which  have  blasted  the  fairest  hopes  of  many 
a  Christian  parent.     He  may  do  without  learn- 

*  This  was  Mr.  Richmond's  third  son ;  now  his  eldest. 
He  was  a  youth  of  decided  piety,  and  purposed  to  devote 
himself  to  the  ministry. 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RIcrfMOND.  247 

ing,  but  he  is  ruined  body  and  soul  if  lie  be  not 
wise  unto  sah'ation." 

Mr.  Richmond  remained  at  Cambridge  a 
fortnight,  and  when  he  returned  his  family 
thought  he  looked  somewhat  better.  He  had 
been  among  many  friends  whom  he  loved,  and 
had  derived  much  pleasure  from  his  visit.  He 
now  entered  into  conversation  with  spirit,  and 
appeared  more  cheerful  and  lively  than  he  had 
done  for  the  last  two  years.  He  continued 
about  a  week  in  this  improved  state  of  health 
and  spirit,  and  then  relapsed  into  his  former 
thoughtful  silence. 

His  public  labours  were,  to  the  end,  remark- 
ably blessed  of  God.  The  two  last  Sundays 
on  which  he  preached  were  in  the  beginning 
of  March.  On  the  former  of  these  occasions, 
a  person  attended  the  church,  who,  having  taken 
some  offence,  had  secretly  made  a  rash  resolve 
never  to  enter  it.  He  was  both  thoughtless  and 
dissolute,  and  a  bitter  persecutor  of  religion  in 
those  who  professed  it ;  but  on  this  day  was 
constrained,  by  circumstances  that  need  not  be 
mentioned,  to  alter  his  determination.  The 
text  of  the  sermon  was  taken  from  Psalm  li,  10, 
*'  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God,  and  renew 
a  right  spirit  within  meP  Sharper  than  a  two- 
edged  sword  is  the  word  of  God ;  and  in  its 


248  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND, 

application  by  the  power  of  tbe  Spirit  to  this 
poor  man>  it  proved  "^to  be  the  hammer  that 
breaketh  the  rock  in  pieces."  He  confessed 
that  immediately  on  his  return  home,  he  fell  for 
the  first  time  on  his  knees,  and  with  crying  and 
tears  poured  forth  the  strong  emotion  o-f  his 
heart  in  the  language  of  the  publican,  "  God  be 
merciful  to  me  a  si-nner !" 

The  next  Sunday  Mr.  Richmond's  sermons 
were  particularly  solemn.  In  the  morning  he 
preached  from  Col.  iii,  2^  "  Set  your  affections 
on  things  alxme^  And  this  address  was  directecl 
to  the  true  disciple  for  his  comfort  and  confirma- 
tion. In  the  afternoon  he  preached  from  Psalm 
cxix,  52,.  55y  '^'  /  remembered  tliy  judgments  of 
oldf  O  Lordy  and  JiG^e  comforted  myself  Horror 
hath  taken  hold  report  me,  because  of  the  imcked 
that  forsake  thy  law.^  This  sermon  was  an; 
awful  and  solenrn  appeal  to  the  consciences  of 
unawakeried  sinners.  It  was  remarked  by  a 
person  going  out  of  churchy  "  This  sonnds  as 
if  it  came  from  the  lips  of  a  dying  man." 

The  next  week  he  caught  a  fresh  eold^  and 
his  cough  returned  with  greater yiolencer  yet  he 
would  have  preached  on  the  following  Sunday 
if  his  voice  had  not  entirely  failed  him,  and  it 
was  with  some  difficulty  that  he  was  restrained 
from,  being  carried  into  the  church ~     A  gloora 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  249 

of  sorrow  overspread  the  parish,  and  "  prayer 
was  made  without  ceasing  of  the  church"  unto 
God  for  his  recovery.  But  his  ministry  was 
now  closed  ;  he  never  more  left  the  house,  and 
soon  became  sensible  that  his  beloved  flock 
would  "  see  his  face  no  more,"  till  they  should 
meet  him  at  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ. 

A  clerical  friend,  who  visited  him,  shortly 
before  he  died,  says,  "  His  brethren  saw  little 
of  him  during  the  last  few  months  of  his  life. 
In  his  confinement  he  shrunk  from  all  inter- 
course beyond  the  circle  of  his  own  family. 
He  continued  the  regular  performance  of  the 
duties  of  his  parish  till  within  a  few  weeks  of 
his  death,  and  we  did  not  apprehend  that  he 
was  so  soon  to  be  taken  from  us. 

"  After  making  repeated  inquiries  about  his 
state  of  health,  and  receiving  very  unsatisfac- 
tory answers,  I  consulted  his  medical  attendant, 
whose  report  determined  me  to  lose  no  time  in 
seeking  an  interview.  Of  his  spiritual  state 
there  could  be  no  doubt ;  but  I  thought  if,  like 
his  family,  he  felt  persuaded  of  his  recovery,  it 
might  be  important  on  many  accounts  that  he 
should  be  apprized  of  his  approaching  end. 

"  I  wished,  among  other  things,  to  induce 
him  to  use  his  influence  with  the  patron  of  the 
living  in  the  appointment  of  a  suitable  successor. 


250  LIPE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

We  had  a  conversation  of  some  length  on  this 
subject,  and  which  I  regretted  when  I  perceived 
how  greatly  it  exhausted  his  weak  and  shat- 
tered frame,  and  disabled  him  from  entering  on 
matters  of  still  deeper  interest.  I  was  anxious 
to  hear  his  dying  testimony  to  the  great  truths 
he  had  so  long  taught,  and  so  strikingly  exem- 
plified by  a  consistent  and  holy  conduct.  The 
idea,  too,  that  a  friendship  which  had  suffered 
no  interruption  for  more  than  twenty  years,  en- 
deared by  the  remembrance  of  his  judicious 
advice  and  affectionate  sympathy  in  my  hours 
of  trial  and  affliction,  was  soon  to  be  dissolved, 
gave  a  solemn  and  affectino-  interest  to  this  in- 
terview,  and  I  longed  to  express  my  gratitude, 
as  well  as  to  be  quickened  and  confirmed  by 
his  dying  counsels. 

"  An  opportunity  offered,  and  I  said,  '  Dear 
brother,  I  owe  you  much  love,  and  am  pained 
to  be  the  messenger  of  evil  tidings.  Still  I 
cannot  think  it  right  to  withhold  from  you  my 
apprehension  of  the  dangerous  nature  of  your 
disease.'  '  I  know  it,  brother,'  he  replied, 
*  seven  months  aga  I  was  well  satisfied  from 
whence  this  cough  came ;  that  it  was  a  mes- 
senger from  above.  I  knew  what  it  meant — ■ 
but  I  cannot  talk  :  F ,  do  you  talk.' 

"I  had  scarcely  resumed  the  conversation, 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  251 

with  a  remark  on  the  immense  vahie  and  im- 
portance of  our  principles,  when  he  raised  him- 
self upright  in  his  chair,  and  with  great  solem- 
nity of  manner,  said,  '  Brother,  we  are  only- 
half  awake — we  are  none  of  us  more  than  half 
awake.'  He  seemed  unable  to  proceed,  for  his 
feebleness  was  extreme,  and  to  relieve  him  I 
began  again  ;  but  he  made  another  effort.  *  The 
enemy,  as  our  poor  people  would  say,  has  been 
very  busy  with  me.  I  have  been  in  great  dark- 
ness— a  strange  thought  has  passed  through 
my  mind — it  is  all  delusion.  Brother,  brother, 
strong  evidences,  nothing  but  strong  evidences 
will  do  at  such  an  hour  as  this.  I  have  looked 
here  and  looked  there  for  them— all  have  failed 
me — and  so  I  cast  myself  on  the  sovereign, 
free,  and  full  grace  of  God  in  the  covenant  by 
Christ  Jesus  ;  and  there,  brother,  (looking  at 
me  with  a  smile  of  tranquillity  quite  indescriba- 
ble, and  which  I  shall  never  forget,)  there  I 
have  found  peace." 

We  finish  our  account  of  the  closing  scene 
of  Mr.  Richmond's  life,  in  the  language  of  his 
daughter.  Miss  Fanny  Richmond,  as  contained 
in  a  letter  written  by  her  to  a  friend. 

"  There  were  no  violent  symptoms  to  mark 
the  approach  of  death,  but  a  gradual  decay  of 
strength.    He  sat  with  us  as  usual  in  his  study- 


252  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

chair  to  the  very  last  day, — ahnost  to  the  last 
hour.  I  recollect  many  things  which  I  did  not 
then  understand,  but  which  now  show  me  that 
he  was  preparing  for  death.  With  surprising 
calmness  he  set  his  house  in  order.  He  made 
a  catalogue  of  his  principal  books,  with  memo- 
randa how  they  were  to  be  disposed  of;  also 
of  his  minerals  and  philosophical  apparatus  ; 
he  emptied  all  the  cupboards  round  the  room, 
which  had  not  been  done  for  many  years  ;  he 
burnt  every  book  which  he  thought  of  an  injuri- 
ous tendency.  All  this  was  done  for  the  most 
part  in  silence,  it  being  painful  for  him  to  speak, 
even  in  a  whisper.  I  have  seen  him  sit  for  an 
hour  together  in  the  deepest  abstraction  of 
thought — then  he  would  raise  his  eyes,  the 
tears  streaming  down  his  pale  cheeks,  clasping 
his  hands,  as  if  in  the  fervency  of  importunate 
prayer — and  again  all  was  composure,  and  he 
looked  peaceful  and  happy.  He  seemed  to  be 
maintaining  a  constant  communion  with  God. 
I  know  he  felt  deeply  for  his  children,  whom 
he  was  about  to  leave  young  and  inexperienced 
— exposed  to  a  world  of  sin  and  temptation. 
My  brother  and  I  have  frequently  heard  him 
break  forth  in  prayer  for  us  when  we  had 
scarcely  closed  his  door.  The  sounds  were  faint 
and  broken,  but  we  understood  their  import; 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  253 

and  the  unutterable  tenderness  of  his  manner  to- 
ward us  is  even  now  too  affecting  to  dwell  upon. 
He  would  sometimes  open  his  arms  for  me  to 
come  to  him,  and  laying  his  head  upon  my 
shoulder,  would  fall  again  into  deep  thought. 
His  parish  also  was  always  on  his  mind.  He  was 
continually  inquiring  about  the  people,  and  send- 
ing me  with  messages  to  them;  and  he  listened 
with  much  interest  to  the  report  I  made  of  them. 
"  One  of  his  converts,  a  young  girl  of  nine- 
teen, was  at  this  time  on  the  bed  of  death,  and 
my  dear  father  regretted  much  he  could  not  visit 
her ;  but  he  was  very  anxious  to  comfort  and 
instruct  her  through  me.  She  survived  him 
two  months,  and  died  in  the  same  peace,  per- 
haps with  more  triumph.  She  said,  just  before 
her  death,  '  she  longed  yet  more  for  heaven, 
because  her  dear  minister  was  there  to  wel- 
come her.'*  I  know  that  he  was  full  of  anxiety 
for  a  suitable  successor,  and  the  idea  of  his 
flock   being  dispersed   hung   heavy  upon    his 

*  This  will  remind  some  of  our  readers  of  a  passage  in 
Mr.  Everett's  Memoir  of  Samuel  Hick,  "  The  Village 
Blacksmith."  When  that  holy  and  eminently  useful, 
though  unlettered  man,  had  gone  to  his  reward,  some  of 
the  simple-hearted  people  among  whom  he  had  laboured 
were  heard  to  say,  "  I  love  heaven  the  better,  because  of 
Sammy  Hick  being  there  " 


254  LIFE  OF  LEGH    RICHMOND. 

spirits.  One  morning,  when  I  was  sitting  necir 
him,  he  burst  into  tears,  and  said,  '  O !  my 
parish !  my  poor  parish  !  I  feel  as  if  I  had  done 
nothing  for  it ;  as  if  it  had  been  so  much  neg- 
lected. I  have  not  done  half  that  I  ought.'  It 
was  more  than  I  could  bear  to  hear  him  speak 
in  this  way ;  for  I  had  seen  him  in  weariness, 
and  painfulness,  and  watchings,  spending  and 
being  spent,  if  by  any  means  he  might  win 
souls  to  Christ.  I  suggested  to  him  his  labours, 
and  the  singular  usefulness  of  his  ministry, 
especially  within  the  last  two  years  :  he  would 
still  reply,  '  No  thanks  to  me,  no  thanks  to  me. 
I  see  it  so  different  now,  as  if  I  had  done  just 
nothing.  I  see  nothing  but  neglect,  and  duties 
left  undone.'  I  could  not  help  reflecting  on  the 
diflferent  aspect  things  must  have  when  eternity 
is  opening  upon  us. 

"  He  often  recurred  to  Henry's  residence  at 
college,  and  talked  of  his  fears  for  his  dear  boy 
till  he  was  quite  spent.  He  would  say, '  I  have 
seen  the  ruin  of  so  many  promising  yoHths  by 
a  college  life,  and  those  apparently  as  amiable 
and  pious  as  my  own  dear  child.  I  know  the 
difficulty  of  maintaining  spiritual  religion  at 
Cambridge.  Even  studies  which  are  in  them- 
selves lawful,  and  which  he  ought  to  pursue, 
have   a  tendency  to  weaken   piety,  and  inter- 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  255 

rupt  private  devotion.  Christ  has  often  been 
crucified  between  classics  and  mathematics.  I 
wish  him  to  be  diligent  in  his  studies,  but  the 
Bible  is  the  proper  library  for  a  young  man  en- 
tering into  the  church.  If  he  does  but  under- 
stand the  Bible  experimentally,  I  shall  be  con- 
tent. Bid  him,  Fanny,  to  be  very  careful  of  his 
companions,  that  they  be  few,  and  more  ad- 
vanced in  religion  than  himself;  and  particu- 
larly that  he  attend  Mr.  Simeon's  ministry.  It 
cheers  my  heart,  that  there  is  such  a  ministry 
at  Cambridge.  Be  sure  you  talk  to  him  about 
these  things.  Warn  him  of  declensions,  and 
against  sacrificing  religion  to  the  desire  of  dis- 
tinction. That  dear  boy,  and  his  approaching 
trials,  are  never  out  of  my  thoughts  ;  I  think 
of  him  by  day,  and  dream  of  him  by  night.' 

"  He  had  often  expressed  a  great  desire  to 
see  a  son  in  the  ministry,  ready  to  take  his 
place.  '  If  I  might  but  hear  a  true  gospel  ser- 
mon from  one  of  my  children,  I  should  die  in 
peace.'     On  another  occasion,    he   expressed 

great  delight  that  his  young  friend,  C.  H , 

visited  the  poor,  and  said,  '  You  must  recom- 
mend this  to  Henry,  as  the  very  best  prepara- 
tion for  the  ministry.  Try,  my  dear  Fanny,  to 
keep  him  up  to  it.  Tell^  him  his  poor  father 
learned  his  most  valued  lessons  for  the  minis- 


256  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

try,  and  his  most  useful  experience  in  religion, 
in  the  poor  man's  cottage.' 

"  On  Easter  Sunday  the  sacrament  was  ad- 
ministered at  the  church.  This  day  he  regarded 
with  peculiar  reverence,  and  some  new  con- 
verts generally  partook  of  the  sacred  ordinance 
at  this  time,  whom  he  had  been  preparing  du- 
ring the  past  year.  This  was  the  first  Easter 
Sunday  during  his  residence  at  Turvey  that  he 
had  been  prevented  from  joining  his  church, 
and  commemorating  the  resurrection  of  our 
blessed  Redeemer,  and  he  seemed  to  feel  the 
privation  deeply.  Before  we  went  to  church, 
he  told  us  to  remember  him  at  the  table,  and  he 
would  join  the  communion  of  the  saints  in  his 
study.  He  said,  '  I  shall  look  at  my  watch, 
and  mark  the  exact  time  and  read  the  service, 
that  I  may  be  one  with  you  in  the  fellowship 
of  the  redeemed.'  On  our  return  we  saw  the 
prayer-book  open  before  him,  and  he  was  still 
intent  on  the  communion  service.  He  looked 
up  with  great  composure  in  his  countenance, 
and  said,  '  I  have  followed  you  in  every  sen- 
tence, and  I  think  I  may  say,  I  have  indeed  been 
with  you  and  enjoyed  a  sweet  communion.' 

"  He  had  a  great  dislike  to  keep  his  bed ; 
and  I  cannot  but  acknowledge  the  goodness  of 
God,  that  it  was  not  necessary.    He  rose  every 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  257 

day,  to  the  last,  and  sat  as  usual  in  his  study : 
only  getting  up  a  little  later,  and  going  to  bed 
earlier,  as  his  strength  gradually  failed  him. 
The  last  fortnight  he  was  very  silent,  and  ap- 
peared constantly  in  prayer  and  meditation — 
waiting  his  dismissal,  and  the  end  of  his  earthly 
pilgrimage.  At  this  time  nothing  seemed  to 
disturb  him,  and  he  appeared  to  realize  the  full 
import  of  that  blessed  promise,  *  Thou  wilt  keep 
him  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed  on 
thee.'  It  was  indeed  an  unspeakable  delight  to 
us  to  observe  the  unruffled  calm  of  his  soul ;  and 
it  confirmed  our  minds  in  the  truth  and  value 
of  the  doctrines  he  had  taught  for  thirty  years. 
"  Two  days  before  his  death  he  received  a 
letter,  mentioning  the  conversion  of  two  per- 
sons,* (one  of  whom  was  a  clergyman,)  by  the 
perusal  of  his  tract,  '  The  Dairyman's  Daugh- 
ter.' When  the  letter  was  given  him  he  seemed 
too  feeble  to  open  it  himself,  and  desired  Henry 
to  read  it  to  him.  The  contents  deeply  inter- 
ested him.  He  raised  himself  in  his  chair,  lift- 
ed up  his  hand,  and  then  let  it  fall  down  again, 
while  he  repeatedly  shook  his  head.  His  man- 
ner showed  the  greatest  humility,  as  if  he  would 
say — '  How  unworthy  of  such  honour  !'  For  a 
few  minutes  it  seemed  to  administer  a  cordial 

*  See  pages  110  and  111  of  this  volume. 
17 


258  LIFE   OF  LEGH  RICHMOIS^D. 

to  his  fainting  spirit,  and  led  usto contemplate,  in 
reference  toourdear  father,  the  near  fulfilment  of 
that  promise, '  They  that  turn  many  to  righteous- 
ness, shall  shine  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever/ 

"  On  Tuesday,  the  eighth  of  May^  he  rose 
later  than  usual ;  I  think  it  v/as  twelve  before 
he  got  into  the  study  y  and  he  was  so  weak, 
that  he  had  great  difficulty  in  walking  there 
from  his  bed-room.  His  breath  was  short,  and 
he  looked  very  pale,  but  he  said  he  felt  no  pain. 
He  sat  on  his  reading-chair,  with  bis  head  rest- 
ing on  a  pillow  ^  his  countenance  and  manner 
were  calm  and  peaceful.  In  the  afternoon  he 
could  scarcely  support  himse^lf ;  and  I  kneeled 
on  a  chair  behind  him,  and  he  laid  his  head  on 
my  shoulder.  Once  he  seemed  to  be  fainting, 
but  he  soon  revived  ;  and  looking  calmly  at  me 
he  said, '-  Better  now,  love.' 

"  Mamma  could  no  longer  stay  in  the  room, 
and  I  was  left  alone  with  him  till  five.  He  still 
said  nothing,  except  to  assure  me  he  felt  no 
pain.  To  the  very  last,  it  appeared  to  be  his 
great  desire  to  spare  our  fe-elings.  We  now 
persuaded  him  to  go  to  bed,  but  we  little  thought 
death  was  so  near.  He  could  not  walk,  and  we 
were  going  to  ring  for  a  servant  to  assist  him  ; 
but  he  said,  '■  I  should  like  Henry  to  carry  me.' 
He  was  wasted  to  a  skeleton  :  Henry  took  him 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  259 

Up  with  great  ease,  and  we  all  followed.  I  shall 
never  forget  this  most  affecting  moment :  it  was 
a  moment  of  anguish  to  me,  more  than  the  last 
scene.  He  seemed  to  know  that  he  was  leav- 
ing the  study,  never  to  return  to  it ;  his  look 
told  me  that  he  knew  it.  This  was  his  favourite 
room,  where  for  more  than  twenty  years  he 
had  constantly  carried  on  his  pursuits.  There 
he  had  written  his  books — studied  his  sermons 
— instructed  his  children — conversed  with  his 
flock,  and  offered  daily  sacrifice  of  praise  and 
prayer.  I  watched  him,  as  Henry  carried  him 
out ;  his  countenance  preserved  the  same  look 
of  fixed  composure.  He  raised  his  head  and 
gave  one  searching  look  round  the  room,  on 
his  books — his  table — his  chair — his  wife — his 
children  ; — and  then  the  door  closed  on  him 
for  ever !  He  g^-e  the  same  look  round  the 
gallery  through  which  we  passed,  as  if  he  was 
bidding  farewell  to  every  thing.  There  was  a 
peculiar  expression  in  his  countenance,  which 
I  cannot  describe ;  it  seemed  to  say,  '  Behold 
I  die,  but  God  will  be  with  you  !'  Henry  seated 
him  in  a  chair,  and  he  sat  to  be  undressed,  like 
a  little  dependant  child,  in  deep  silence,  but 
without  the  ruffling  of  a  feature. 

"  About  ten  o'clock  he  signified  to  mamma, 
in  the  gentlest  whisper,  that  he  wished  to  be 


260  LIFE   OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

left  alone — to  send  us  all  away,  and  draw  the 
curtains  round  him. 

"About  half-past  ten  the  nurse  tapped  at 
my  door.  I  was  reading  the  Bible,  and  had 
just  reached  that  verse,  '  That  ye  be  not  sloth- 
ful, but  followers  of  them  who  through  faith  and 
patience  inherit  the  promises.'  I  have  thought 
the  coincidence  remarkable,  at  least  I  trust  it 
will  ever  give  a  quickening  influence  to  that 
passage,  when  I  read  it.  She  told  me  to  come 
and  look  at  my  father.  She  said,  she  could 
hardly  tell  whether  there  was  any  change  or 
not.  I  hurried  to  him.  He  raised  his  eyes  to 
heaven,  and  then  closed  them.  I  put  my  cheek 
upon  his  ;  and  I  believe  at  that  instant  I  felt, 
fori  could  not  hear,  his  dying  sigh.  I  thought 
he  was  sleeping,  and  continued  looking  at  him, 
till  Hannah  said,  '  Your  dear  mpa  is  in  heaven.' 
I  did  not  think  him  dead  ;  unCrL  rubbed  his  still 
warm  hands,  and  kissed  his  pale  cheek,  and 
entreated  him  to  speak  one  word  to  me  ;  but  I 
soon  found  it  was  the  silence  of  death.  All 
turned  to  poor  mamma,  who  was  insensible ; 
and  I  was  thus  left  alone  with  my  dear  father, 
kneeling  beside  him,  with  his  hand  in  mine. 
The  same  holy  calm  sat  on  his  countenance, 
and  seemed  to  say — '  Thanks  be  to  God,  who 
hath  given  me  the  victory  !' 


LIFE  OF   LEGH   RICHMOND.  261 

"  The  scene  that  followed  was  truly  afflict- 
ive. The  grief  of  the  widow  and  the  fatherless 
was  unchecked ;  for  he  who  had  always  com- 
forted them,  and  bid  them  kiss  the  rod,  was  no 
longer  with  them.  The  contrast  between  the 
after-scene  of  Wilberforce's  and  our  beloved 
parent's  death  was  peculiarly  affecting  to  me. 
When  my  brother  died,  my  father  assembled 
us  together,  to  implore  resignation  and  offer 
praise,  but  when  he  himself  departed,  all  seem- 
ed gone.  There  was  no  one  to  collect  us ; 
and  we  were  scattered  in  wild  sorrow,  with  a 
feeling  of  desolation  which  was  quite  unutterable. 

"  We  cannot,  we  ought  not  to  forget  such  a 
father.  Yea,  I  would  add,  '  when  I  forget  thee, 
may  my  right  hand  forget  her  cunning.' 

"The  hand  of  God  has  gone  out  against  us — 
yet  'the  seed  of  the  righteous  is  not  forsaken.' 
He  has  cut  o^the  'stream  which  made  us 
glad' — but  praised  be  his  name,  he  invites  us 
to  the  'living  fountain,'  where  our  souls  may 
drink  and  be  satisfied.  F.  R." 

Mr.  Richmond  died  on  Tuesday,  May  8th, 
1827,  and  was  buried  in  the  church  at  Turvey, 
and  in  the  same  vault  which  contained  the  re- 
mains of  his  beloved  Wilberforce,  and  of  two 
infant  sons.     The  affecting  circumstances  of 


262  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

the  funeral  are  thus  described  by  a  friend,  who 
was  a  spectator  of  the  mournful  scene  : — 

"  I  was  hastening  to  observe  the  sad  obse- 
quies of  this  excellent  man ;  the  bell  tolled 
heavily,  and  seemed  to  smite  on  my  ear  with 
more  than  ordinary  solemnity.  Sorrow  was 
depicted  on  every  countenance,  and  the  mourn- 
ers crossed  my  path  at  every  step.  Even  the 
aged  and  the  sick,  who  had  long  heard  from 
his  lips  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation,  crept  out 
of  their  cottages,  resting  on  their  crutches,  or 
leaning  on  the  arm  of  friendship,  to  gaze  on  the 
mournful  cavalcade,  and  weep  over  their  melan- 
choly bereavement. 

"Every  eye  exhibited  the  struggle  of  feeling, 
and  spoke  more  for  the  memory  of  the  deceased 
than  volumes  written  in  his  praise.  Multitudes 
from  the  neighbouring  villages,  and  many  from 
remoter  places,  were  attracteiPto  the  spot,  and 
came  to  pay  their  tribute  of  affection  to  the 
memory  of  one  with  whose  name  they  had  long 
associated  feelings  of  respect  and  esteem.  The 
body  was  carried  by  six  bearers,  and  the  pall 
was  held  by  the  same  number  of  clergymen 
from  the  neighbourhood,  whose  countenances, 
marked  with  profound  sorrow,  seemed  to  say, 
'Alas,  my  brother!'  There  followed  as  mourn- 
ers, the  family — the  more  respectable  of  the 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  263 

parisMoKers — ^the  communicants — the  Sunday 
and  day  schools — and  a  long  tram  of  the  poor, 
who  were  present  on  the  occasion.  The  whole 
presented  ix>  my  eye  the  most  affecting  picture 
of  deep  and  sincere  sorrow  I  ever  witnessed." 
At  the  request  of  the  family  an  address  was 
delivered  at  the  grave,  by  Mr.  Grimshawe; 
and  on  the  following  Sunday  a  funeral  sermon 
was  preached  in  the  church,  by  the  Rev. 
T.  Fry,  rector  of  Emberton,  to  an  overflowing 
ocongregation.  So  great  was  the  number  of 
persons  that  attended,  that  many  went  away, 
unable  to  procure  admittance.  Not  only  was 
every  space  in  the  church  and  the  chaacels 
occupied,  but  the  marble  monuments  were 
covered  with  people,  and  even  the  large  beams 
which  supported  the  roof.  Mr.  RichnK>nd, 
some  years  before  his  decea-se,  had  selected 
a  passage  of  Scripture^  and  Mr,  Fry,  in 
compHaace  with  the  wishes  of  his  friend,  took 
his  text  from  Romans  vii,  24,  25,  ^*  O  wretched 
■man  that  I  nm  ^  mho  shtdl  deliver  me  from  the 
body  of  this  death  ?  I  thank  God,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lerd^ 

The  following  testimony  to  the  domestic  cha- 
racter and  virtues  of  Mr.  Richmond,  contained 
in  a  letter  from  his  widow  to  Mr.  Grimshawe, 


264  LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND. 

is  here  appended  as  an  appropriate  conclusion 
to  this  memoir  of  his  life : — 

"Dear  Sir, — Allow  me  to  assure  you  of  the 
unfeigned  satisfaction  which  I  feel  in  address- 
ing you,  as  the  biographer  of  my  late  most  dear 
and  lamented  husband. 

"That  the  task  has  devolved  on  you,  who 
were  better  acquainted  than  most  others  with 
the  qualities  of  him  whom  you  so  justly  loved 
and  valued,  is  a  melancholy  pleasure,  connect- 
ed with  my  afflictive  bereavement. 

"  The  confidential  and  affectionate  inter- 
course, which  for  so  many  years  subsisted  be- 
tween yoUj  afforded  numerous  and  varied  oppor- 
tunities for  making  a  just  estimate  of  his  cha- 
racter :  and  I  feel  full  confidence  that  you  will 
be  faithful  in  your  own  observations  on  this 
honoured  servant  of  the  sanctuary. 

"To  AwTz,  indeed,  it  is  a  thing  of  naught ; — 
his  witness  is  in  heaven,  and  his  record  is  on 
high.  But  to  those  whom  he  has  left  behind 
in  this  vale  of  tears,  it  is,  I  think,  a  lawful 
source  of  anxiety  and  interest,  that  *  his  name 
should  be  had  in  remembrance.' 

"  His  public  character  you  had  more  frequent 
and  diversified  means  of  appreciating  than  I 
had.     But  in  the  private  and  family  circle,  it 


LIFE   OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  265 

may  naturally  be  supposed  that  to  myself  he 
was  best  known. 

"  In  the  endeared  relations  of  husband  and 
father^  those  only  knew  his  value  who  are  now 
left  to  deplore  his  loss.  The  honoured  but  un- 
worthy partner  of  his  weal  and  wo  can  bear 
grateful  testimony  how  truly  he  fulfilled  the 
apostolical  injunction  of  loving  his  wife  :  how 
patiently  he  bore  with  her  infirmities,  and  with 
what  tenderness  of  mind,  and  refinement  of  feel- 
ing, he  manifested  the  daily  recurring  instances 
of  his  affectionate  and  devoted  attachment. 

"The  subject  is  sacred  and  delicate,  and  my 
pencil  might  be  thought  to  colour  too  highly ; 
but  on  my  own  heart  is  indelibly  impressed  the 
fond  remembrance  of  what  he  was  to  me — a 
remembrance  which  death  only  can  efface  ;  and 
which  I  humbly  hope  will  be  renewed,  with 
increased  powers  of  recollection,  when  I  shall 
have  come  out  of  this  great  tribulation,  washed 
in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  made  meet  for 
the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light. 

"  Nevertheless,  I  feel  myself  called  upon  to 
offer  the  tribute  of  my  heart's  best  effusions  of 
gratitude,  for  a  continued  course  of  connubial 
felicity,  enjoyed  by  few  to  the  same  extent. 
To  him  I  was  indebted  for  thirty  years  of  do- 
mestic happiness,   from   the   recollections  of 


266  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

which,  '  visions  of  past  enjoyment  rise,  in  long 
and  bright  array ;'  while  I  am  painfully  remind- 
ed that  they  are  joys  departed ;  for,  '  in  the  for- 
saken tomb  the  form  beloved  is  laid  !' 

"  But  it  is  as  a  candidate  for  heaven  that  I 
supremely  feel  my  obligations  to  my  departed 
husband.  Here  the  dispenser  and  the  possessor 
of  all  earthly  joys  must  have  their  close  ; — 
here  all  sublunary  bliss  must  cease !  But  there^ 
mortality  shall  put  on  immortality ;  and  the 
pleasures  at  God's  right  hand  are  for  evermore. 
To  his  instrumentality  I  owe  the  hope  of  never' 
ending  happiness  ;  and  I  rejoice  in  the  blessed 
prospect,  that  from  having  been  fellow-pilgrims 
on  earth,  we  shall  be  fellow-heirs  of  glory  in 
heaven.  And  if  celestial  happiness  can  be  in- 
creased by  the  reunion  of  terrestrial  objects  of 
affection,  mine  must  receive  addition  from  again 
beholding  him.  The  anticipation  cheers  my 
widowed  heart.  O  !  that  we  may  again  meet, 
'  with  our  old  and  with  our  young,  with  our  sons 
and  with  our  daughters.' 

"As  di father,  he  possessed  a  tenderness  and 
sweetness  of  affection  almost  peculiar  to  him- 
self. How  does  my  heart  now  thrill,  while  I 
recall  the  affectionate  and  parental  emotions 
with  which  he  took  each  new-born  babe  in  his 
arms;  and,  like  Simeon  of  old,  blessed  it !  Those 


LIFE  OF   LEGH   RICHMOND.  267 

prayers  were  registered  in  heaven,  they  have 
descended  in  blessings  on  his  children,  and 
they  are  yet  the  '  portion  and  inheritance  for 
ihem,  in  their  Father's  house  :'  a  bequest  more 
precious  than  silver  and  gold,  I  doubt  not  that 
those  prayers  were  accepted  for  the  Saviour's 
sake ;  and  the  surviving  parent  adds  her  pe- 
tition— '  Therefore,  now  let  it  please  thee  to 
bless  the  house  of  thy  servant,  that  it  may  con- 
tinue for  ever  before  thee :  with  thy  blessing 
let  the  house  of  thy  servant  be  blessed  for  ever.' 

"  In  portraying  the  general  character  of  my 
dear  husband,  his  peculiarly  prominent  feature 
of  benevolence  should  be  specially  noticed  ;  for 
he  possessed  it  in  the  most  extended  and  com- 
prehensive meaning  of  the  word. 

"It  was  a  universal  kindness  and  good-will, 
best  described  by  the  charity  which  '  beareth 
all  things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all  things, 
endureth  all  things.  A  charity  which  never 
failed.'  There  were  occasions  when,  according 
to  man's  wisdom,  this  virtue  might  have  been 
and  was  thought  to  partake  of  the  works  of 
supererogation.  And  certain  it  is,  that  in  some 
instances,  the  unsuspecting  simplicity  of  his 
disposition  subjected  him  to  consequences 
which  fully  proved  that  the  children  of  this 
world  are  wiser  in  their  generation  than  the 


268  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

children  of  light !  But  he  was  ever  mindful  of 
the  admonition,  '  Never  impute  a  bad  motive  to 
any  one,  while  you  can  find  a  good  one.' 

"  The  motto  which  encircled  his  heart  was, 
*  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth  peace, 
good- will  toward  men.'  This  was  his  Christian 
badge  ;  nor  can  I  recollect  a  single  instance  in 
which  he  ever  laid  it  aside.  '  Speak  not  evil 
one  of  another,'  was  a  very  remarkable  cha- 
racteristic of  my  beloved  husband.  With  Da- 
vid he  said,  '  I  will  take  heed  to  my  ways,  that 
I  sin  not  with  my  tongue.'  He  appeared  never 
to  lose  sight  of  this  caution,  nor  did  he  ever  fail 
to  check  the  forgetfulness  of  it  in  others  when 
occasion  required. 

"  You,  dear  sir,  need  not  be  informed  of  his 
unwearied  labours  of  love,  when  publicly  en- 
gaged in  the  cause  of  God.  You  well  know 
that  he  counted  no  personal  sacrifice  too  dear, 
so  that  he  might  win  souls  to  Christ. 

"  Were  any  tempted  to  think  that  he  robbed 
his  own  to  enrich  others,  and  that  enthusiasm 
carried  him  too  often  and  too  far  from  kindred 
ties,  and  from  the  appointed  flock  over  which 
God  had  made  him  overseer  ?  Let  wife,  chil- 
dren, and  flock,  separately  and  unitedly  declare, 
without  partiality  and  without  hypocrisy,  what 
was  the  spirit  in  which  he  returned  among 


LIFE  OF  LEGH   RICHMOND.  269 

them.  Was  it  not  invariably,  'in  the  fulness 
of  the  gospel  of  peace,'  replenished  with  fresh 
arguments  for  each,  that  '  laying  aside  all  ma- 
lice, and  all  guile,  and  hypocrisies,  and  envy- 
ing, and  all  evil-speakings;  denying  ungodli- 
ness and  worldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly, 
righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present  evil  world ; 
laying  up  in  store  a  good  foundation  against  the 
time  to  come  V  How  animating  were  the  details 
which  he  gave  of  his  progress  through  the  varied 
scenes  of  his  pilgrimage,  and  how  calculated  to 
impress  the  conviction,  that  the  love  of  Christ 
constrained  him ! 

"Nor  let  it  be  supposed  that  the  breath  of 
fame  kindled  in  his  bosom  any  desires  at  vari- 
ance with  the  duties  of  that  more  confined 
sphere  in  which  he  was  permanently  stationed. 
I  always  considered  his  missionary  labours  as 
productive  of  fresh  energies  for  the  discharge 
of  his  parochial  duties. 

"  Instant  in  season,  out  of  season,  he  preach- 
ed the  word  with  invigorating  power  and  de- 
monstration of  the  Spirit.  '  Giving  all  diligence 
to  add  to  his  faith,  virtue ;  and  to  virtue,  know- 
ledge; and  to  knowledge,  temperance;  and  to 
temperance,  patience;  and  to  patience,  godli- 
ness ;  and  to  godliness,  brotherly  kindness  ;  and 
to  brotherly  kindness,  charity.'     These  things 


270  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

being  in  him,  and  abounding,  they  made  him, 
that  he  was  '  neither  barren  nor  unfruitful  in  the 
knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.' 

"It  might  naturally  have  been  expected,  that 
the  horizon  around  this  setting  sun  would  have 
been  gilded  with  many  a  bright,  though  depart- 
ing ray;  and  that  he  would  have  winged  his 
flight  to  glory,  commencing  the  hallelujahs  on 
earth,  so  soon  to  be  attuned  to  harps  of  gold  in 
heaven  : — that  finding  the  end  of  all  things  was 
at  hand,  he  would  have  spoken  'as  the  oracles 
of  God, — declaring  that  he  had  not  followed 
cunningly  devised  fables,  when  he  made  known 
the  power  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.'  That 
such  was  not  the  case,  can,  I  think,  be  best 
accounted  for  by  those  who  have  most  cause  to 
mourn  the  deprivation. 

"The  feelings  of  the  husband  and  the  father 
were  too  sensitive  for  the  weakened  frame, 
which  shrunk  from  the  excitement  to  be  appre- 
hended from  any  direct  allusion  to  the  mournful 
event  which  was  about  to  rend  asunder  a  link 
so  strongly  uniting  the  family  chain.  This  was 
the  bitterness  of  death.  For  his  own  soul,  he 
had  long  committed  it  to  the  keeping  of  God, 
in  well-doing,  as  unto  a  faithful  Creator ;  but 
he  would  not  hazard  an  interruption  to  the 
peaceful   calm  with  which  he  anticipated  his 


LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND.  271 

dismissal  from  the  body.  He  saw  the  restrain- 
ed anguish  of  my  heart,  and  forbore  to  probe 
the  wound,  which  he  knew  was  rankling.  This 
it  was  that  imposed  silence. 

"A  more  tranquil  departure  could  neither 
have  been  wished  nor  granted.  Every  tumult 
was  hushed, — all  was  serene, — death  had  lost 
its  sting,  for  he  had  gained  the  victory  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  With  the  utmost  com- 
posure he  put  his  house  in  order,  feeling  that 
he  must  die,  and  not  live.  The  placidity  of  his 
countenance  expressed  the  peace  within,  speak- 
ing more  than  words  could  have  don« ;  '  and 
now.  Lord,  what  wait  I  for  ?  truly  my  hope  is 
even  in  thee  !'  Can  I  ever  forget  the  morning 
of  that  day  which  closed  upon  me  as  a  widow 
(O  !  word  of  sorrow)  and  desolate  ?  With  what 
prophetic  earnestness  did  he  pronounce  the  as- 
surance, '  God  will  never  leave  you,  or  forsake 
you  !  It  is  impossible  V 

"This  may  be  said  to  have  been  his  parting 
benediction.  For  though  some  few  hours  more 
did  elapse,  before  the  departure  of  the  spirit  to 
God  who  gave  it,  yet  the  powers  of  nature  were 
so  exhausted,  that  briefly  reminding  me  'how 
merciful  the  Lord  had  been  to  us  for  many 
years,'  and  with  a  short  exhortation  to  resigna- 
tion, he  continued  in  silent  composure,  waiting 


272  LIFE  OF  LEGH  RICHMOND. 

the  arrival  of  the  heavenly  convoy,  to  be  ush- 
ered into  the  presence  of  Him  whom,  not  having 
seen,  he  loved — and  whom  now  beholding,  and 
knowing  even  as  he  is  known,  he  falls  down 
and  worships. — '  Mark  the  perfect  man  ;  and 
behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is 
peace.' 

"Such  was  my  beloved  husband,  in  life  and 
in  death.  What  he  is  in  glory,  *  eye  hath  not 
seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  hath  entered  into 
the  heart  to  conceive.' 

*  Thus  much  (and  this  is  all)  we  know, — 
He  is  supremely  blest ; 
Has  done  with  sin,  and  care,  and  wo, 
And  with  his  Saviour  rests.' 

Mary  Richmond." 


THE   END. 


UCSB  LIBRARY  ' 


